Making Friends Lesson Plan for Teachers

Teachers & homeschoolers · Lesson plan · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What grade levels is this making friends lesson plan suitable for?

This lesson plan is designed to be flexible for a wide range of ages, from toddlers and preschoolers to elementary and middle school students. For younger children, such as toddlers and preschoolers, activities should be simple, focused on sharing, taking turns, and recognizing feelings. For elementary students, the lesson can include more detailed discussions about friendship qualities, communication skills, and conflict resolution. Middle schoolers benefit from exploring more complex social scenarios and practicing empathy and problem-solving. Adjust the language, examples, and activity complexity to fit the developmental stage of the learners, ensuring engagement and comprehension at each level.

What are the learning objectives and timing for the lesson?

The lesson aims to help students understand what makes a good friend, develop basic social skills for making friends, and practice those skills in group settings. A suggested timing breakdown for a 45-minute session is:

This structure is adaptable; for toddlers, the main activity might be shorter and more play-based, while middle school lessons can include longer discussions or role-playing.

What materials are needed for a making friends lesson?

No special materials are required; common classroom or home supplies suffice. These include:

• Chairs or floor space for group seating
• Paper and pencils or crayons for drawing feelings or friendship qualities
• Name tags for role-play if desired
• Simple props like balls or toys to encourage sharing and turns
• A timer or clock to manage activity duration

For homeschoolers, familiar household items work well, and the lesson can be outdoors or indoors depending on the activity and weather.

How to conduct the warm-up to prepare students?

Start with a friendly icebreaker to create a comfortable atmosphere. For example, ask students to share their name and one fun thing they like to do with friends. You can also do a brief "Feelings Check-In" by asking, “How do you feel when you play with friends?” or “What makes you happy when you are with a friend?” This activates their thinking about friendship and emotions. For younger kids, a simple name game or passing a soft ball while saying a friend’s name encourages attention and participation.

What are the key direct instruction points to teach?

Focus on three main friendship skills:

1. How to start a conversation: Teach simple openers like “Hi, my name is ___, do you want to play?” or asking about shared interests.
2. Listening and showing interest: Explain how looking at someone, nodding, and asking questions show you care.
3. Being kind and respectful: Discuss sharing, taking turns, and including others.

Use clear, age-appropriate language and examples. For preschoolers, show pictures or act out scenarios. Older students can brainstorm qualities of a good friend and how to handle disagreements respectfully.

What is an effective main activity to practice making friends?

Organize a structured activity where students can practice the skills taught. Options include:

• Role-Playing: Pair students and give them friendship scenarios (e.g., inviting someone to join a game). Provide scripts or prompts for younger learners.
• Group Games: Use cooperative games that require teamwork and turn-taking.
• Friendship Circle: Sit in a circle and take turns sharing something about yourself or a compliment for the person next to you.

Steps for a role-play activity:

1. Explain the scenario with clear instructions.
2. Model the interaction with a volunteer or co-teacher.
3. Have pairs or small groups practice while you observe.
4. Praise positive behaviors and gently guide improvements.
5. Rotate roles so everyone practices starting conversations and listening.

What discussion questions encourage reflection?

After activities, ask open-ended questions like:

• “How did it feel to invite someone to play?”
• “What was easy or hard about making a new friend?”
• “How can you show kindness to someone who seems lonely?”
• “What can you do if a friend is upset with you?”

These questions help students process emotions and social experiences, deepening learning and empathy.

How to assess students’ understanding and skills?

An exit ticket or informal assessment can be used. Examples:

• Younger children can draw a picture of themselves playing with a friend and share what they like about friendships.
• Older students can write or say one new thing they learned about making friends and one goal for practicing it.

Observation during activities also provides valuable insight into each child’s social skills and comfort level.

How can this lesson be differentiated or extended for homeschoolers?

Homeschoolers can tailor pacing and activities to individual children’s needs. For toddlers, keep activities short and sensory-rich. For older kids, add journaling prompts or digital storytelling about friendship experiences. Extensions might include:

• Practicing friendship skills in real life with family or neighbors.
• Reading books about friendship followed by discussion.
• Creating a friendship journal tracking new friends and social experiences.

Regularly revisiting the topic with new scenarios helps build confidence over time.

This lesson plan supports building lasting friendship skills through age-appropriate teaching and engaging, practical activities, adaptable for classrooms or home settings.

Frequently asked questions

How can I help shy students make friends during this lesson?

Encourage small, manageable social steps like greeting one peer or sharing a smile before progressing to longer conversations. Use role-play to build confidence, model friendly behaviors, and provide positive reinforcement to reduce anxiety.

What if students have conflicts during the lesson?

Treat conflicts as learning opportunities. Guide them to use “I” statements, listen to each other, and find a compromise. Keep the tone calm and respectful, and intervene promptly to maintain a safe environment.

Can this lesson plan be used for virtual or remote learning?

Yes, adapt activities to online tools like breakout rooms for role-play, virtual circle sharing, and chat responses for discussion questions. Use digital drawing apps for younger learners to express feelings.

How often should friendship skills be taught?

Regularly incorporating friendship skills into daily routines or weekly lessons helps reinforce what children learn and allows practice in various contexts, promoting long-term social development.

What are simple ways to practice friendship skills at home?

Encourage sharing toys or snacks with siblings or neighbors, practice polite greetings, and role-play social situations together. Praise efforts to show kindness and listen carefully during interactions.