How To Have Healthy Relationships wellbeing lesson plan
A wellbeing lesson for Years 6 to 8 that helps Australian teachers introduce healthy relationship skills through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn to recognise the qualities of a healthy relationship, communicate respectfully, set boundaries and respond safely when a relationship feels unfair or difficult.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
How To Have Healthy Relationships
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce healthy relationship skills using practical, age-appropriate language. Feedback: 4.4/5 from 167 teacher ratings
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Building practical skills for healthy, respectful relationships
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 features of a healthy relationship, such as trust, respect, honesty and fairness.
Recognise signs that a relationship may feel unbalanced, unfair or unsafe.
Recognise that healthy relationships take ongoing effort from everyone involved.
Understand
Understand why clear communication and boundaries support healthy relationships.
Understand that disagreements are normal and can be managed respectfully.
Practise
Practise using respectful language to express needs, feelings or concerns.
Practise simple strategies for resolving disagreements without escalating conflict.
Practise identifying a trusted adult to speak to if a relationship feels unsafe.
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for students in Years 6 to 8 who are building on earlier learning about friendships and beginning to navigate more complex peer, family and social relationships.
It is suitable for:
upper primary and junior secondary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or advisory sessions
respectful relationships education
transition programmes between primary and secondary school
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 healthy relationships as a topic Use when students are learning the features of respectful, healthy relationships for the first time.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing respect, fairness and kindness as everyday classroom expectations.
Supporting inclusion Use when helping students understand how respectful communication supports positive peer relationships.
Practising communication and boundaries Use when students need structured practice expressing needs, feelings or concerns respectfully.
Reinforcing conflict resolution skills Use when revisiting how to manage disagreements without escalating conflict.
Preparing for transition Use when peer and social relationships are changing, such as moving between primary and secondary settings.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Students benefit from learning about healthy relationships before they need to navigate more complex or difficult situations, rather than only after a problem arises. Healthy relationship skills, such as clear communication, respect and setting boundaries, support students across friendships, family life and future relationships. Teaching these skills early gives students language and confidence they can use in everyday situations. This lesson supports a classroom culture where respectful communication and fairness are treated as everyday expectations, not just responses to conflict. Students learn that healthy relationships take effort from everyone involved, and that support is available if a relationship feels unsafe or difficult.
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 needs, feelings and concerns clearly and respectfully.
Respect and empathy Students consider how their words and actions affect others in a relationship.
Boundary setting Students learn to recognise and express personal boundaries.
Conflict resolution Students practise simple strategies for managing disagreements respectfully.
Help-seeking Students learn when and how to speak to a trusted adult about a difficult relationship.
Self-awareness Students reflect on what they need and expect from healthy relationships.
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 other people's stories.
Frame discussion around general examples and scenarios, rather than personal disclosures.
Make clear the lesson is about building skills, not identifying who is right or wrong in a specific situation.
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 from friendships, family or peer relationships that students can relate to.
Give students time to practise respectful phrases aloud or in pairs.
Reinforce that healthy relationships involve effort from everyone, not just one person changing.
Keep the focus on communication and boundaries rather than assigning blame.
Supporting safe discussion
Encourage privacy and respectful language when discussing relationships.
Reinforce that seeking support from a trusted adult is a responsible choice, not a last resort.
Identify trusted adults students can speak to at school if they need support.
Adaptation options
Use pair or small group discussion for confident classes.
Use written reflection for students who prefer to process quietly.
Spend more time on boundary setting or conflict resolution depending on cohort needs.
