**Lesson Plan: Health Habits for Toddlers**
**Topic: Reptiles: Control & Safety**
**Objective:**
By the end of the lesson, toddlers will be able to understand basic safety rules when interacting with reptiles or any wild animals, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene and staying safe.
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**Materials Needed:**
- Picture books and flashcards of various reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles, etc.)
- Toy reptiles (plastic or plush)
- Handwashing station (sink with soap, or hand sanitizer)
- Stickers for rewards
- Simple hand puppets for role-playing
**Lesson Duration:**
30-40 minutes
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**Lesson Outline:**
1. **Introduction to Reptiles (10 minutes)**
- **Show and Tell:** Use picture books and flashcards to introduce different types of reptiles (e.g., snakes, lizards, turtles).
- **Discussion:** Talk briefly about where reptiles live and what they eat. Ensure to use simple language and engaging visuals.
- **Vocabulary:** Introduce the terms "safe," "dangerous," "clean," and “dirty.”
2. **Safety around Reptiles (10 minutes)**
- **Rule Recitation:** Teach basic rules like "Do not touch wild animals," "Tell an adult if you see a reptile," and "Wash your hands after playing outside."
- **Role-Playing:** Use hand puppets or toy reptiles to act out different scenarios, showing safe and unsafe behavior. For example, a puppet might ask if it's okay to touch a wild snake (answer: No, always ask an adult).
3. **Hand Hygiene Activity (10 minutes)**
- **Demonstration:** Show the proper way to wash hands using a handwashing station. Emphasize scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, covering all parts of the hands.
- **Interactive Practice:** Allow toddlers to practice washing their hands with supervision. Alternatively, use hand sanitizer for quick demonstrations.
4. **Reinforcement Activity (10 minutes)**
- **Flashcard Game:** Display reptile flashcards and ask questions like, "Is this animal safe to touch?" to reinforce learning.
- **Reward System:** Give stickers to toddlers who participate and correctly identify safe practices.
5. **Wrap-Up and Recap (5 minutes)**
- **Summary:** Briefly recap the key points of the lesson: recognizing reptiles, understanding safety rules, and the importance of hand hygiene.
- **Q&A:** Allow toddlers to ask questions or share what they learned. This promotes engagement and reinforces the lesson.
**End of Lesson:**
- **Homework Assignment:** Encourage parents to discuss and practice these safety habits at home. Suggest they read a reptile-related picture book and talk about safe behaviors with their toddlers.
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**Assessment:**
- Observational assessment during the interactive activities to ensure understanding.
- Ask specific questions to check comprehension, like "What should you do if you see a turtle outside?"
By implementing this lesson, toddlers will learn to appreciate reptiles while understanding the importance of staying safe and maintaining good hygiene.