Different Types of Families wellbeing lesson plan
A secondary wellbeing lesson for Years 7 to 9 that helps Australian teachers introduce the many shapes and sizes of families through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn to recognise different family structures, understand why respectful language matters when talking about families, and practise responding to assumptions or stereotypes about family life.
Diversity, Equality & Society
Snapshot
Different Types of Families
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce family diversity and help students respond respectfully to differences they may notice at school.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Recognising and respecting different family structures
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 that families can look different while still providing love, care and support.
Recognise common assumptions or stereotypes people make about family structures.
Recognise language or comments that can be hurtful, even when unintended.
Understand
Understand why making assumptions about someone's family can be unfair or hurtful.
Understand that culture and background can shape family life in different ways.
Practise
Practise using respectful language when talking about different family experiences.
Practise responding safely if they notice unfair comments about someone's family.
Practise including classmates without making assumptions about their home life.
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for secondary students in Years 7 to 9 who are building awareness of diversity, identity and respectful communication.
It is suitable for:
wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or advisory sessions
diversity, inclusion or respectful relationships units
class discussions on culture and identity
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 family diversity Use when students are beginning to explore how families can differ in structure, culture and background.
Building classroom inclusion Use when reinforcing respectful behaviour towards classmates whose family life may look different.
Supporting a diversity or culture unit Use when family diversity fits naturally into broader learning about identity and belonging.
Reinforcing respectful language Use when students need structured practice responding to assumptions or stereotypes about families.
Preparing for transition Use when new student cohorts or year groups mean students are getting to know classmates with different family backgrounds.
Creating a structured wellbeing discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led conversation about respect, fairness and inclusion.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Students encounter many different family structures at school, and assumptions about what a family should look like can lead to unfair comments or exclusion. Understanding family diversity is not only about awareness. It also helps students build the language and confidence to respond respectfully when family life comes up in everyday conversation, without needing to explain or justify their own family. This lesson supports a more inclusive classroom culture by helping students recognise that respect and fairness matter regardless of how a family is structured.
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 assumptions or stereotypes about family structures.
Empathy Students consider how comments about family life can affect classmates.
Respectful communication Students practise using considerate language when discussing family diversity.
Inclusion Students recognise ways to include classmates without assumptions about home life.
Critical thinking Students examine where stereotypes about families come from.
Belonging Students reinforce that all family structures deserve respect.
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 details about other people's families
Frame discussion around general examples rather than personal family circumstances
Make clear that no student is expected to speak on behalf of a particular family type, culture or background
Identify trusted adults students can speak to if they have questions or concerns
During delivery
Use general, everyday examples such as different family structures, cultures and living arrangements
Give students time to discuss and practise respectful responses
Reinforce that all families can look different while still being loving and supportive
Allow students to respond through discussion or written reflection depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Keep the discussion focused on respect, fairness and privacy rather than personal stories
Remind students that comments about someone's family should not be repeated outside the lesson
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
Adaptation options
Use small group discussion for confident classes
Use written reflection or paired discussion for quieter groups
Spend more time on respectful language if students need extra practice responding to assumptions or comments
