**Lesson Plan: Personal Hygiene for Toddlers**
**Title**: Personal Hygiene II: Keeping Clean and Healthy
**Age Group**: Toddlers (1-3 years old)
**Duration**: 30 minutes
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### **Objective**:
- To teach toddlers the importance of personal hygiene.
- To help toddlers learn basic hygiene practices, including hand washing, brushing teeth, and bath time.
### **Materials**:
- Picture books about hygiene (e.g., "Germs Are Not for Sharing" by Elizabeth Verdick).
- Toy sink or a small tub with soap and water.
- Toothbrushes and a big model tooth/dental set.
- Clean towels.
- Songs or rhymes about hygiene.
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### **Introduction (5 minutes)**:
1. **Greeting and Welcome**:
- Begin with a friendly greeting and a catchy welcome song to get the children excited.
- Introduce the topic by showing a picture book about hygiene. Read a short, engaging story focusing on characters keeping clean and healthy.
### **Activity 1: Hand Washing (10 minutes)**:
1. **Discussion**:
- Talk about why we wash our hands (to get rid of germs and stay healthy).
- Show pictures or simple diagrams of germs to illustrate the concept visually.
2. **Demonstration**:
- Use a toy sink or small tub with soap and water to demonstrate proper handwashing techniques: wetting hands, applying soap, scrubbing all over (front, back, between fingers, under nails) for 20 seconds, rinsing well, and drying with a clean towel.
- Sing a handwashing song (e.g., "Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands" to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat") to reinforce the process.
3. **Practice**:
- Encourage each child to practice handwashing with guidance.
### **Activity 2: Tooth Brushing (10 minutes)**:
1. **Discussion**:
- Explain the importance of brushing teeth to keep them clean and prevent cavities.
- Talk about doing this twice a day, in the morning and before bed.
2. **Demonstration**:
- Use a big model tooth/dental set and a large toothbrush to show proper brushing techniques: brushing all surfaces of the teeth and gums in gentle circles.
3. **Practice**:
- Provide toothbrushes (without toothpaste for safety) for the kids to practice on their own or on models.
- Sing a tooth-brushing song (e.g., "Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth" to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star").
### **Activity 3: Bath Time (5 minutes)**:
1. **Discussion**:
- Talk about why taking a bath is important (removes dirt, keeps us smelling fresh).
- Discuss the routine: getting in the tub, using soap, washing all parts of the body, and drying off with a towel.
2. **Role Play**:
- Use dolls or toys to demonstrate bath time.
- Guide the children to mimic the actions with their own toys or pretend play.
### **Conclusion (5 minutes)**:
1. **Review**:
- Recap the importance of personal hygiene: washing hands, brushing teeth, and taking baths.
- Ask simple questions to reinforce the concepts learned (e.g., "Why do we wash our hands?" "How often should we brush our teeth?").
2. **Closing Activity**:
- End with a fun hygiene-themed song or dance.
- Hand out hygiene-related stickers or coloring pages to take home.
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**Assessment**:
- Observational: Watch for participation and understanding during activities.
- Ask simple yes/no or multiple-choice questions about hygiene.
- Provide positive reinforcement and gentle correction as needed.
**Follow-Up**:
- Encourage parents to reinforce these habits at home.
- Send a note or email outlining what was covered and tips for practicing hygiene with toddlers.
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**Keywords**: personal hygiene, toddlers, hand washing, tooth brushing, bath time, healthy habits, hygiene songs, role play, demonstration, practice.
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This lesson plan aims to create a fun, engaging, and educational experience that helps toddlers understand and practice good personal hygiene habits, laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy practices.