### Lesson Plan: Health Habits for Toddlers - Topic: Disease/Illness
#### Objective
Introduce toddlers to basic concepts of health, disease, and illness, highlighting simple actions they can take to stay healthy.
#### Duration
30 minutes
#### Materials
- Picture books (e.g., "Germs Are Not for Sharing" by Elizabeth Verdick)
- Pictures of healthy habits (handwashing, covering mouth when coughing, eating fruits & vegetables)
- Hand sanitizer or soap and water station
- Tissue paper
- Coloring sheets with health-related themes
- Crayons/Markers
#### Introduction (5 minutes)
1. **Greeting and Circle Time:**
- Gather the toddlers in a circle.
- Briefly discuss the day's topic: "Today we are going to learn about keeping our bodies healthy and what to do if we feel sick!"
- Show a picture book related to germs and explain what germs are in simple language (tiny invaders that can make us sick).
#### Main Activity (10 minutes)
2. **Storytime:**
- Read the selected picture book out loud, showing the illustrations and engaging the toddlers by asking questions like, "What do you see in this picture?" or "What did the character do to stay healthy?"
3. **Healthy Habits Discussion:**
- Show pictures of healthy habits and briefly explain each one.
- Emphasize the importance of washing hands, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and eating healthy foods.
- Demonstrate proper handwashing techniques using a song to make it fun (e.g., "Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands").
#### Activity Time (10 minutes)
4. **Handwashing Practice:**
- Allow kids to practice washing their hands at a station with water and soap or use hand sanitizer.
- Sing a handwashing song together to ensure they wash for an appropriate amount of time.
5. **Coughing and Sneezing Practice:**
- Show how to cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or elbow.
- Let each child practice with a tissue to reinforce this habit.
#### Craft/Coloring Activity (5 minutes)
6. **Coloring Sheets:**
- Distribute coloring sheets that depict healthy habits (e.g., children washing hands, eating fruits, covering their mouth while sneezing).
- Provide crayons or markers and encourage the kids to color while explaining each picture.
#### Wrap-Up (5 minutes)
7. **Recap and Goodbye:**
- Gather back in a circle and briefly recap what was learned: "Let's remember how to stay healthy! Wash your hands, eat good food, and cover when you cough."
- Praise them for their participation and remind them to share these new habits with their family.
- Sing a goodbye song to conclude the lesson.
#### Evaluation
- Observe the children during activities to ensure they grasp the concepts.
- Ask simple questions to gauge understanding, like "What should we do before eating?" or "How do we cover our mouth when we cough?".
- Provide positive reinforcement to encourage continued practice of healthy habits.
### Notes:
- Adjust the length and complexity of the activities based on the toddlers' attention spans and development levels.
- Ensure all materials are child-safe and age-appropriate.