Lesson Plan for Toddler - Health Habits - Diseases: Causes

### Lesson Plan: Health Habits for Toddlers **Topic: Diseases: Causes and Prevention** #### Objective: To educate toddlers about basic health habits that can prevent diseases, understand the simple causes of diseases, and encourage them to practice good hygiene. #### Materials Needed: - Picture books about health and hygiene - Handwashing station or simulation materials (soap, water, paper towels) - Visual aids (poster of germs, clean vs. dirty hands, etc.) - Healthy snacks for demonstration (fruits, vegetables) - Simple disease prevention songs or rhymes - Art supplies (crayons, paper, stickers) #### Duration: 45 minutes --- #### Lesson Outline: **1. Introduction (10 minutes):** - Greet the kids warmly and gather them in a circle. - Begin with an engaging storybook reading about germs and how staying clean can keep us healthy. - Suggested Book: “Germs Are Not for Sharing” by Elizabeth Verdick. - Briefly explain what germs are in simple terms: "Germs are tiny, tiny bugs that can make us sick." **2. Discussion & Explanation (10 minutes):** - Show visual aids depicting germs and key hygiene practices. - Talk about places where germs can be found (hands, toys, doorknobs, etc.). - Emphasize the importance of handwashing: - "Washing our hands helps us get rid of germs!" - Discuss other key habits: - Using tissues when sneezing or coughing. - Eating healthy foods that help our bodies stay strong. **3. Handwashing Activity (10 minutes):** - Demonstrate proper handwashing technique at the handwashing station. - Have each child practice washing their hands while singing a short song (e.g., “This is the Way We Wash Our Hands”). - Make it fun by adding actions and encouraging children to wash between fingers and under nails. **4. Healthy Eating Discussion (5 minutes):** - Show healthy snacks and talk about how eating fruits and vegetables can help prevent us from getting sick. - Encourage children to name their favorite healthy foods. **5. Interactive Game & Song (5 minutes):** - Introduce a simple game where kids must identify clean vs. dirty hands in pictures. - Sing a disease prevention song together, incorporating movements (clapping, spinning, pretending to wash hands). **6. Art Activity (5 minutes):** - Provide drawing materials so kids can illustrate their understanding. - Have them draw themselves practicing good health habits (e.g., washing hands, eating vegetables). - Optionally, use stickers to highlight key points. **7. Closing (5 minutes):** - Recap the key points learned in the lesson. - Encourage toddlers to share one thing they learned with their family. - Hand out a simple takeaway, like a coloring sheet with hygiene tips or a sticker sheet promoting health habits. --- **Assessment:** - Observe participation and engagement during handwashing activity. - Evaluate understanding through their drawings and ability to point out clean vs. dirty hands. **Extension:** - Send a note home to parents explaining the day's lesson and encouraging reinforcement at home. - Plan a follow-up lesson reinforcing this one, with a focus on another aspect of health habits such as dental hygiene or physical activity. **Note to Educators:** For toddlers, repetition and routine are key. Reinforce these habits regularly in your interactions and make hygiene practice a part of your daily routine.


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