Lesson Idea | What is Loneliness?

Use this lesson plan to guide conversations about loneliness during Loneliness Awareness Week Australia.

Objectives

- Encourage learners to discuss loneliness openly and positively
- Learn about what loneliness is
- Think about what we can do if we notice ourselves feeling lonely
- Consider how we might help someone who is feeling lonely

Resources

1. Butchers paper
2. Textas
3. Post-it notes

Lesson

Create two butchers paper sheets with titles - ‘I’ve felt lonely when...’ and ‘It helps me feel less lonely when...’

Sit in a circle. Place the butchers paper and textas in the middle. Start by explaining that we all might feel lonely sometimes and share a time when you felt lonely. Encourage learners to grab a texta and write a time they felt lonely ie; ‘when my friend isn’t at school’. Read some responses out.

Share what has helped you when you’ve felt lonely. Encourage learners to grab a texta and write what has helped them. Read some responses out.

Activity

Create a class connections box. Place post it notes with different questions we could ask someone to get to know them better. At the end of each week, pull one out and whoever feels comfortable answering can share. This can help learners get to know one another better.

Loneliness Explanation

We all need to feel connected to other people. Loneliness is the unsettling feeling we get when this need is not being met. We may feel like this because we're not having much contact with other people, or because the relationships we have don’t feel meaningful to us. There are certain times in your life then you might be more likely to feel lonely. For example, if there are things changing in your life, such as moving to a new school, a new home, a friendship ending, or losing a loved one. There's nothing wrong or shameful about feeling lonely.