Let's Work It Out wellbeing lesson plan
A primary wellbeing lesson for Years 1 and 2 that helps Australian teachers introduce friendship problem solving through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn to recognise common friendship problems, understand why sharing and respect matter, and practise simple ways to talk through disagreements and repair friendships.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Let's Work It Out
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to help young students talk through friendship problems and build shared respect.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Working through friendship problems using respectful communication
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 friendship problems, such as disagreements over sharing or turns
recognise when a friend feels upset, left out or unhappy
recognise that friendship problems are a normal part of getting along with others
Understand
understand that working through a problem calmly helps keep friendships strong
understand why listening to a friend's point of view matters
Practise
practise simple phrases for explaining how they feel during a disagreement
practise listening to a friend and taking turns to speak
practise finding a fair way forward when a friendship problem comes up
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for younger primary students in Years 1 and 2 who are learning how to manage everyday friendship problems and practise respectful communication with peers.
It is suitable for:
primary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care, circle time or advisory sessions
class culture and friendship skills work
early 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 friendship skills Use when students need simple language for talking through disagreements and sharing problems.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing respect, fairness and inclusion as part of everyday classroom expectations.
Supporting students after friendship issues Use to support structured discussion after a disagreement, sharing problem or playground upset.
Practising respectful communication Use when students are learning how to explain their feelings and listen to a friend's point of view.
Reinforcing shared respect Use when revisiting expectations about fairness, turns and including others in play.
Preparing for transition Use when peer groups are changing and students need clear expectations for getting along.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Friendship problems are a normal part of early primary life, and young students often need direct teaching to build the language and confidence to work through them calmly. Helping students resolve friendship problems is not only about fixing one disagreement. It is about building early skills in communication, listening and fairness that support positive relationships over time. This lesson supports a respectful classroom culture by helping students understand that disagreements can be worked through without arguing or leaving someone out, and that sharing how they feel is a normal part of getting along with others.
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 Students practise explaining how they feel during a disagreement.
Empathy Students consider how a friend might feel during a friendship problem.
Fairness Students explore why sharing and taking turns matter to friendships.
Problem solving Students practise finding a fair way forward after a disagreement.
Listening skills Students practise listening to a friend's point of view.
Belonging Students reinforce that everyone deserves to feel included in play.
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 respectful ways to solve problems, not blaming anyone
Identify trusted adults students can speak to if a friendship problem feels hard to manage
During delivery
Use simple, everyday examples such as wanting the same toy or feeling left out of a game
Give students time to practise phrases aloud with a partner or as a class
Reinforce that working through a problem does not mean arguing or being unkind back
Allow students to respond through discussion, drawing or partner talk depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Encourage students to focus on their own feelings rather than blaming a friend
Reinforce that asking a trusted adult for help is a sensible choice if a problem feels too hard to sort out alone
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 partner talk or small groups for confident students
Use drawing or simple sentence starters for quieter students
Spend more time on trusted adults if students need support identifying help pathways
