Bullying Stops With Us wellbeing lesson plan
A primary wellbeing lesson for Years 1 and 2 that helps Australian teachers introduce kindness, inclusion and safe help-seeking through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn to recognise unkind behaviour, understand why including others matters, and practise simple, safe ways to respond or ask a trusted adult for help.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Bullying Stops With Us
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce kindness, inclusion and safe responses to hurtful behaviour in the early years classroom.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Including everyone with kindness and respect, and recognising hurtful behaviour
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise when someone is being left out or treated unkindly
recognise that everyone deserves to feel included and respected
recognise that hurtful or unsafe behaviour should be shared with a trusted adult
Understand
understand that including others is an active choice
understand how being left out or treated unkindly can make someone feel
Practise
practise simple words for including someone in a game or activity
practise responding safely when they see someone being treated unkindly
practise asking a trusted adult for help when something does not feel right
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for younger primary students in Years 1 and 2 who are beginning to learn about kindness, inclusion and respectful behaviour. It suits students who are developing early language for noticing when someone is left out or treated unkindly.
It is suitable for:
primary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care, circle time or advisory sessions
class culture and behaviour expectation work
early respectful relationships or bullying prevention programs
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Building classroom culture Use when establishing early expectations for kindness and inclusion at the start of a term or unit.
Introducing the topic of kindness and inclusion Use when students need simple language for recognising unkind behaviour and understanding why inclusion matters.
Supporting inclusion after friendship issues Use to guide structured discussion when students have noticed someone being left out or treated unkindly.
Practising safe responses Use when students are learning how to include others or respond safely without arguing or being unkind back.
Building help-seeking confidence Use when students need to understand when and how to ask a trusted adult for help.
Reinforcing respectful communication Use when revisiting class agreements about kindness, fairness and respectful behaviour.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Young students are still learning what kindness and inclusion look like in practice, and simple, repeated language helps these ideas stick. Including everyone is not only about responding after someone has been left out. It is also about teaching students early to notice unfair behaviour, invite others in and speak up safely when something does not feel right. This lesson supports a safer classroom culture by helping students understand that kindness is something they can practise every day, and that trusted adults are there to help when a situation feels unsafe or difficult to manage alone.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Social awareness Students notice when someone is left out or treated unkindly.
Empathy Students consider how being excluded or spoken to unkindly can make someone feel.
Relationship skills Students practise kind words and inclusive actions towards classmates.
Help-seeking Students learn when and how to ask a trusted adult for support.
Respect Students recognise that everyone deserves to be included and treated fairly.
Belonging Students reinforce that everyone has a place in the classroom community.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates or share stories about other people
Frame the discussion around general examples and scenarios, not personal accusations
Make clear that the lesson is about learning kind, safe choices, not blaming people
Identify trusted adults students can speak to at school
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
During delivery
Use simple examples such as being left out of a game or spoken to unkindly
Give students time to practise inclusive words and phrases aloud
Reinforce that students do not need to manage unsafe situations alone
Allow students to respond through discussion, drawing or role-play depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Reinforce that asking for help is a responsible choice, not a weakness
Explain that unsafe or hurtful behaviour should be shared with a trusted adult
Keep language calm and reassuring rather than alarming
Adaptation options
Use partner talk or drawing for quieter groups
Use structured role-play for confident groups
Spend more time identifying trusted adults if students need extra support
