# Lesson Plan: Healthy Habits - The Importance of Sleep
**Grade Level:** Nursery 1 (Ages 3-4)
**Duration:** 30 minutes
**Objective:**
- Students will understand the importance of sleep for their health.
- Students will identify basic bedtime routines that can help them sleep better.
- Students will engage in activities that promote relaxation before bedtime.
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### Materials Needed:
- Picture books about bedtime (e.g., "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown)
- Soft pillow or blanket for each child
- Printed visuals of bedtime routines (bath, brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, reading a story)
- Relaxing music or lullabies
- Stuffed animals or sleep toys
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### Lesson Outline:
**1. Introduction (5 minutes)**
- **Greeting and Circle Time:**
- Gather students in a circle on the floor.
- Greet them and introduce the topic: "Today, we're going to learn about why sleep is so important!"
**2. Discussion (5 minutes)**
- **Why We Need Sleep:**
- Ask the children if they like to sleep and why.
- Explain in simple terms: "When we sleep, our bodies rest and grow strong. Sleep helps us feel happy and ready to play the next day."
**3. Story Time (10 minutes)**
- **Reading a Book:**
- Read a bedtime-themed picture book like "Goodnight Moon."
- Pause to discuss the story’s bedtime routines (e.g., saying goodnight, turning off lights).
**4. Activity (8 minutes)**
- **Bedtime Routine Matching:**
- Show the printed visuals of bedtime routines.
- Discuss each step and ask children to match the visuals to their own bedtime routines.
**5. Relaxation Exercise (5 minutes)**
- **Calm Down Session:**
- Have the students lie down on their blankets or pillows.
- Play soft, relaxing music or lullabies.
- Encourage slow, deep breaths and pretend they are getting ready for sleep.
**6. Closing (2 minutes)**
- **Review:**
- Briefly recap the importance of sleep.
- Ask a few children to share what they remember about good sleep habits.
- **Goodbye Song:**
- Sing a calm goodbye song to end the session peacefully.
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### Follow-Up Activity:
- Send a note home to parents with tips on creating a consistent bedtime routine, emphasizing the importance of sleep for their child’s growth and development.
### Assessment:
- Observe children during the discussion and activities to see if they understand the basics of why sleep is important.
- Look for engagement and participation during the relaxation exercise and bedtime routine matching activity.
### Tips for Teachers:
- Use simple and clear language appropriate for Nursery 1 students.
- Make the activities interactive and engaging to hold the attention of young children.
- Ensure a calm and soothing environment, especially during the relaxation exercise, to help children associate these feelings with bedtime.
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By following this lesson plan, nursery students will gain a foundational understanding of the importance of sleep and how to establish healthy bedtime routines.