When Words Hurt wellbeing lesson plan
A primary wellbeing lesson for Years 1 and 2 that helps Australian teachers introduce the impact of hurtful words, everyday friendship situations and safe help-seeking through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn to notice when words feel unkind or hurtful, understand how language affects friendships, and practise respectful ways to speak, respond and ask for help.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
When Words Hurt
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce how words can affect friendships and how to respond respectfully and safely.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Recognising hurtful language and practising respectful, safe responses
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 words can hurt, even when they are meant as a joke
Identify examples of unkind or hurtful language in everyday school situations
Recognise that repeated hurtful words can feel different to a single unkind comment
Understand
Understand that words affect how others feel about themselves and their friendships
Understand that respectful words help friendships feel safe and fair
Practise
Practise using respectful language when talking with friends
Practise simple, calm ways to respond when words feel unkind
Practise asking a trusted adult for help when words feel unsafe or upsetting
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for younger primary students who are building early language for friendships, feelings and respectful communication.
It is suitable for:
primary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care, circle time or advisory sessions
class culture and respectful relationships work
friendship and communication skill building
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 respectful communication Use when students are learning early language for kindness, respect and how words affect others.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing expectations around respectful talk between classmates.
Supporting friendship skills Use alongside broader friendship or social skills teaching to strengthen everyday communication.
Practising safe responses Use when students are learning how to respond to unkind words without arguing or reacting unkindly in return.
Building help-seeking confidence Use when students need practice understanding when and how to ask a trusted adult for support.
Creating a structured wellbeing discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led discussion about words, feelings and respect.
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 that words carry weight, even when they are said quickly, as a joke or without much thought. Helping them notice this early supports more respectful classroom relationships over time. This lesson approaches the topic as a skill to build, not a problem to fix. Students learn that noticing how words affect others, choosing respectful language and asking for help are things they can practise, not just rules to remember. By giving students simple, usable language now, teachers can help build a classroom culture where hurtful words are noticed early and students feel confident speaking up safely or seeking support.
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
Empathy Students consider how hurtful words can make someone feel.
Self awareness Students reflect on how their own words affect others.
Communication skills Students practise respectful ways to speak with friends.
Relationship skills Students build language for repairing and maintaining friendships.
Help-seeking Students learn when and how to ask a trusted adult for support.
Respect Students reinforce that everyone deserves to be spoken to kindly.
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 choices, not blaming anyone
Identify trusted adults students can speak to at school
During delivery
Use simple examples such as name calling, unkind comments or words said as a joke
Give students time to practise respectful phrases aloud
Reinforce that students do not need to argue or respond unkindly in return
Allow students to respond through discussion, drawing or guided talk depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Reinforce that asking for help is a responsible choice, not a last resort
Explain that hurtful or unsafe words can be shared with a trusted adult
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 guided talk or partner reflection for quieter groups
Use simple drawing tasks for students who find verbal discussion harder
Spend more time identifying trusted adults if students need support with help pathways
