**Lesson Plan: Healthy Habits for Nursery 1**
**Topic: Exercise is Fun!**
**Objective:**
Students will learn about the importance of exercise and how it can be enjoyable. They will participate in simple physical activities to promote healthy exercise habits.
**Duration:**
30-40 minutes
**Materials Needed:**
- Music player with upbeat songs
- Flashcards with simple exercise images (jumping, running in place, dancing, etc.)
- Space for movement (preferably a gym or open classroom area)
- A soft ball or bean bag
- Visual aids: Posters or pictures of children exercising
**Activities:**
**1. Introduction to Exercise (5 minutes)**
- Greet the students and gather them in a circle.
- Begin with a brief discussion by asking questions like:
- "What do you like to do for fun outside?"
- "Have you ever jumped or danced at home?"
- Explain that exercise is moving our bodies in fun ways to stay healthy and strong.
**2. Show and Tell with Flashcards (5 minutes)**
- Display flashcards with different exercises one by one.
- Briefly demonstrate each exercise and let children try to mimic the actions.
- Encourage enthusiasm by clapping and cheering them on.
**3. Warm-Up Activity (5 minutes)**
- Play upbeat music and start with a simple warm-up:
- Touch your toes
- Wiggle your fingers
- Swing your arms
- March in place
**4. Follow the Leader (10 minutes)**
- The teacher acts as the leader first, demonstrating easy exercises such as jumping jacks, running in place, or dancing.
- Encourage students to follow along.
- After a few rounds, allow students to take turns being the leader and choosing an exercise for everyone to follow.
**5. Ball Game (10 minutes)**
- Gather the students in a circle.
- Introduce a soft ball or bean bag.
- Explain a simple game: Pass the ball around the circle. When children have the ball, they must say one way they can exercise (e.g., run, jump, swim).
- Ensure all children get a turn. Keep the game moving and energetic.
**6. Cool-Down Stretch (5 minutes)**
- Conclude the session with a cool-down stretch.
- Reach for the sky
- Stretch to the sides
- Stretch legs while sitting
- Deep breathing exercises
**7. Closing Discussion and Reflection (2-3 minutes)**
- Recap what was learned about exercise.
- Ask the children how they felt while exercising.
- Emphasize that exercise is both fun and healthy.
- Encourage them to tell their parents and caregivers about the fun exercises they did today.
**Assessment:**
- Observe students’ participation and enthusiasm in each activity.
- Note any students who might need encouragement or additional support.
**Extension Activities:**
- Provide handouts with simple exercises or fun activity ideas for children to do at home with their families.
- Plan a follow-up lesson on other aspects of healthy habits, like nutrition or hygiene.
**Conclusion:**
It’s important to instill a love for physical activity early on. By making exercise fun and engaging, students are more likely to develop long-lasting healthy habits.