Conflict Causes and Effects wellbeing lesson plan
A primary wellbeing lesson for Years 5 and 6 that helps Australian teachers introduce the causes and effects of conflict through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn to recognise common causes of conflict in friendships, understand how conflict can affect the people involved, and practise strategies to prevent and resolve disagreements respectfully. The lesson keeps the focus on everyday friendship situations, giving students practical language for working through disagreements rather than avoiding or escalating them.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Conflict Causes and Effects
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to help students understand what causes conflict and how to respond to it in a calm, respectful way.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Understanding why conflict happens and practising ways to resolve it respectfully
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 common causes of conflict between friends, such as misunderstandings, differing opinions or unmet expectations
recognise how conflict can affect feelings, friendships and classroom relationships
recognise when a disagreement may need support from a trusted adult
Understand
understand that conflict is a normal part of relationships and can be worked through respectfully
understand how shared respect and listening can stop a disagreement from escalating
Practise
practise using calm, respectful language to express feelings during a disagreement
practise listening to another person's point of view during a conflict
practise simple strategies to prevent or resolve conflict with a friend
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for Years 5 and 6 students who are building skills in managing friendships, disagreements and everyday social conflict.
It is suitable for:
primary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or advisory sessions
friendship and peer relationship skill building
respectful relationships 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.
Introducing conflict resolution skills Use when students need a starting point for understanding why conflict happens and how to respond.
Building classroom culture Use to reinforce shared respect, fair communication and inclusive behaviour among the class.
Supporting friendship skills Use alongside broader friendship or relationship focused teaching to strengthen everyday peer skills.
Practising safe responses Use when students are learning to respond to disagreement without arguing, retaliating or shutting down.
Reinforcing respectful communication Use when revisiting class expectations around fair, respectful ways of disagreeing.
Preparing for group or partner work Use before group tasks or team activities where disagreements are likely to come up.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Conflict is a normal part of friendships, and students benefit from having clear, practical language for working through it rather than avoiding it or letting it escalate. Understanding what causes conflict and how it affects people helps students build stronger, more respectful relationships over time. This lesson supports a calmer classroom culture by helping students see disagreement as something that can be managed, not something to fear or avoid. Students learn that listening, respect and fair communication can prevent small disagreements from becoming bigger problems. Building these skills early gives students tools they can use across friendships, group work and everyday school life, well beyond any single disagreement.
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
Communication skills Students practise expressing feelings calmly during a disagreement.
Empathy Students consider how conflict affects the other person involved.
Self regulation Students explore ways to stay calm rather than react during conflict.
Problem solving Students identify practical strategies to prevent or resolve disagreements.
Relationship skills Students practise fair, respectful ways of working through friendship issues.
Help seeking Students recognise when a disagreement may need support from a trusted adult.
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 specific people
Frame the discussion around general scenarios, not personal accusations
Make clear that the lesson is about learning strategies, not assigning blame
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 everyday examples such as disagreements over a game or feeling left out of a decision
Give students time to practise calm, respectful phrases aloud or in pairs
Reinforce that students do not need to argue, retaliate or manage unsafe situations alone
Allow students to respond through discussion, writing or partner talk depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Use general examples rather than personal disclosures
Reinforce that asking a trusted adult for support is a sensible response, not a last resort
Keep the tone practical and solution focused rather than dwelling on past disagreements
Adaptation options
Use partner or small group discussion for confident classes
Use written reflection or drawing for quieter students
Spend more time on listening skills if the cohort needs extra support with this
