### Lesson Plan: Health Habits for Toddlers - Diseases: Solutions
#### Objective:
To teach toddlers basic health habits that can help prevent diseases and promote general well-being.
#### Duration:
30 minutes
#### Materials:
- Storybook about handwashing and germs
- Visual aids (pictures of germs, cartoons of healthy habits)
- Hand sanitizer and tissues
- Soap and water station
- Healthy snacks (fruits, vegetable sticks)
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### Introduction (5 minutes)
1. **Welcome and Introduction**:
- Greet the toddlers warmly.
- Introduce the topic: "Today, we are going to learn how to keep ourselves healthy and stay away from sickness!"
### Activity 1: Story Time (10 minutes)
1. **Read-Aloud**:
- Select a storybook about a character who learns about handwashing and staying healthy (e.g., "Germs are not for Sharing" by Elizabeth Verdick).
- Show the pictures and make the story interactive by asking questions like “What do you see?”, “What is the character doing?”
2. **Discussion**:
- Briefly discuss the story highlighting key points such as washing hands, covering mouth while coughing or sneezing, and eating healthy foods.
### Activity 2: Visual Learning (5 minutes)
1. **Show and Tell**:
- Display pictures of germs and how they spread.
- Show pictures/cartoons of kids washing hands, covering their mouth, and eating fruits and vegetables. Describe each scenario simply.
- Use a hand puppet or character to demonstrate proper handwashing techniques.
### Activity 3: Practice and Play (5 minutes)
1. **Handwashing Practice**:
- Go to the soap and water station. Demonstrate proper handwashing steps (wet hands, apply soap, scrub for 20 seconds singing “Happy Birthday” twice, rinse, and dry).
- Let each toddler practice handwashing.
2. **Germ Transfer Activity**:
- Place a small amount of glitter on a child’s hand. Show how it spreads by touching objects (representing germs) and discuss how washing hands helps remove germs.
### Snack and Chat (5 minutes)
1. **Healthy Snack Time**:
- Provide healthy snacks (fruits or vegetable sticks).
- Discuss why certain snacks are good for our health. (e.g., “An apple helps keep our body strong!”)
### Conclusion (5 minutes)
1. **Recap and Reinforcement**:
- Review the health habits learned: washing hands, covering mouth when sneezing or coughing, eating healthy.
- Praise the toddlers for participating and practicing good habits.
2. **Goodbye Song/Health Habit Song**:
- Sing a cheerful song about being healthy and saying goodbye.
#### Optional:
- **Take-Home Activity**:
- Provide a simple handwashing chart for parents to track and reward their children for good hygiene at home.
#### Assessment:
- Observe toddlers’ participation and enthusiasm during activities.
- Note if toddlers are able to remember and follow basic health habits discussed.
#### Follow-Up:
- Reinforce these habits routinely in follow-up classes.
- Send a note home encouraging parents to continue these practices.
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This lesson plan aims to instill fundamental health habits in toddlers through engaging, hands-on activities and stories, laying the foundation for lifelong healthy behavior.