Friendship Recipe wellbeing lesson plan
A primary wellbeing lesson for Years 1 and 2 that helps Australian teachers introduce friendship skills and shared respect through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students explore what makes a good friend by building their own friendship recipe, identifying the qualities, actions and words that help friendships feel kind, fair and respectful.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Friendship Recipe
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce friendship skills and shared respect through a simple, hands-on class activity.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Identifying the qualities and actions that build kind, respectful friendships
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 the qualities that help friendships feel kind, fair and respectful
recognise everyday actions, such as sharing and including others, that support strong friendships
recognise when a friendship feels unfair or unkind
Understand
understand that friendships need care and effort from everyone involved
understand that respect and honesty are part of healthy friendships
Practise
practise naming qualities and actions that belong in a strong friendship
practise using kind and respectful language with friends
practise identifying a trusted adult to talk to if a friendship feels unfair or unsafe
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for younger primary students who are building early friendship skills and learning what respect looks like in everyday relationships.
It is suitable for:
primary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care, circle time or advisory sessions
class culture and friendship skill building
respectful relationships education for younger students
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 friendship skills Use when students are learning what makes a friendship feel kind, fair and respectful.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing shared respect, inclusion and cooperative behaviour among students.
Starting a new school year or term Use when students are forming new friendship groups and need shared expectations.
Reinforcing earlier wellbeing learning Use when revisiting kindness, sharing and inclusion after earlier lessons.
Supporting inclusion Use when students need practical ways to include others and notice unfair treatment.
Practising respectful communication Use when students are learning how to use kind words and work through small disagreements calmly.
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 respectful, caring friendships look like in practice, and simple, structured language helps them build these skills early. Friendship Recipe gives students a proactive way to think about kindness and respect, rather than only responding after a friendship problem happens. It helps students see that being a good friend involves everyday choices, such as sharing, including others and speaking kindly. By naming these qualities together, students build a shared classroom language for kindness and respect that can support a more inclusive classroom culture.
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 the actions and words that help friendships feel fair and respectful.
Empathy Students consider how kindness and unkindness affect how a friend feels.
Communication skills Students practise using kind, clear language with friends.
Relationship skills Students identify qualities, such as sharing and honesty, that build strong friendships.
Inclusion Students explore ways to include others and respond to exclusion.
Help-seeking Students learn who they can talk to if a friendship feels unfair or unkind.
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 experiences
Make clear that the lesson is about building friendship skills, not identifying specific problems
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, everyday examples such as sharing, taking turns and including others
Give students time to name and discuss friendship qualities aloud
Reinforce that friendships take effort from everyone involved
Allow students to respond through discussion, drawing or partner talk depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Use general examples and scenarios rather than personal disclosures
Reinforce that asking a trusted adult for help is a responsible choice
Follow school procedures if any concerns arise during discussion
Adaptation options
Use partner talk or small groups for students who need extra support sharing ideas
Use drawing or simple sentence starters for students still developing written language
Spend more time identifying trusted adults if students need extra support with help pathways
