Families and Friendships — Year 1 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: PSHE/RSE — Families and relationships: that families are important for children growing up because they can give love, security and stability; the characteristics of friendships (KS1 statutory guidance).
Overview
Pupils explore the many different forms a family can take and celebrate what all families have in common: love, care and belonging. They then extend this to friendship, considering what makes a good friend and practising the skills of being one. The lesson creates a warm and inclusive space in which all family structures are valued equally.
Learning Objectives
- Understand that families come in many different forms and that all families share love and care.
- Identify the qualities that make someone a good friend.
- Practise giving and receiving kindness and recognise how this feels.
- Begin to understand the difference between a friendship that feels good and one that does not.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Show a range of illustrations of different family types — two parents, one parent, grandparents, same-sex parents, adoptive families, foster families. Ask: what do all these families have in common? Draw out that all families care for each other. Introduce the session focus.
In a circle, invite pupils to share one thing about their family that makes them feel loved or cared for (no compulsion — pupils can pass). Prompt with: who makes your dinner? Who reads to you? Who gives you a hug when you are sad? Emphasise that caring can look many different ways.
Read a short picture book featuring friendship (e.g. one that explores a friendship challenge and resolution). Pause to discuss: what did the good friend do? What would not have been a good friend thing to do? As a class, build a 'good friend' list on the board, with pupils suggesting qualities such as kindness, listening and honesty.
Pupils make a friendship card for someone in the class — not necessarily their best friend. They write or draw something kind they appreciate about that person. Cards are delivered at the end of the lesson. Discuss how it felt to give and receive a kind message.
Gather the class and revisit the good friend list. Ask: which of these could we try to do more of this week? Set a class friendship challenge: one act of kindness each day. Close with the affirmation: all families are different, all families matter, and good friends make life better.
Common Misconceptions
- Pupils may believe that a family must include two parents or must look a particular way. Address this by affirming all family structures from the outset and throughout the lesson.
- Some pupils think a good friend must always agree with them. Clarify that a good friend is honest and can disagree kindly, and that this is a sign of genuine care.
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Awareness that people live in different types of households and family arrangements.
- Some experience of friendship in early years, including moments of kindness and falling out.
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