Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare a soft cloth, a cotton bud (for demonstration of *external* use only, not for actual ear cleaning in class), and pictures of ears. The central idea is for pupils to understand that ears need care and that only a trusted adult should clean *around* their ears, never putting anything *inside*. Emphasize safety: pupils must never put sharp or strange objects into their ears. Observable pupil action will be pointing to their ears and shaking their head to indicate “no” to unsafe practices.
Class: Pre-School Level 1
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 2 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Identifying parts of the body
Topic: Care of the Ears
Subject Matter: Care of the Ears: Safe Ear Care
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify their ears when asked.
- Name one simple way to care for their ears (e.g., “clean ears,” “ask mummy/daddy”).
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to keep their ears clean and safe.
- Listen attentively to instructions about ear care.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to their ears.
- Shake their head to show “no” to putting objects in ears.
Social Domain
- Participate in a simple ear care rhyme.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 1
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Charts and posters showing ears and safe/unsafe ear care practices
- Pictures of ears
- A soft, clean cloth
- A cotton bud (for teacher demonstration of *external* cleaning only)
- A toy with ears
Rationale for the Lesson
Teaching safe ear care at this age is crucial for establishing good hygiene habits and preventing injury. Pupils learn to protect their hearing and understand that ears are important for listening, helping them stay healthy and safe in their daily lives.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify some parts of their body, including their head and face.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
CARE OF THE EAR: Safe Ear Care
Our ears help us to hear sounds. We need to take good care of our ears so we can hear well and stay healthy.
How to Take Care of Our Ears:
- Keep them clean: Ask Mummy or Daddy to help you clean *around* your ears with a soft, clean cloth. They can also use a cotton bud *only on the outside* of your ear.
- Never put anything inside: Do not put fingers, pencils, small toys, or anything sharp into your ears. This can hurt your ears very badly.
- Tell an adult: If your ear hurts or feels funny, tell Mummy, Daddy, or your teacher right away.
Key Words
- Ear – the part of our body we use to hear.
- Clean – making sure our ears are free from dirt.
- Safe – keeping our ears from harm or injury.
- Help – asking an adult to clean our ears.
Ear Care Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Ears, ears, help us hear,
Voices, music, far and near.
Keep them clean, oh yes we must,
With soft cloth, we always trust.
No sharp things, no, no, no!
Safe our ears, watch them grow!
Actions: Point to ears, cup hands behind ears, pretend to wipe ears with a soft cloth, shake head “no” for “no sharp things.”
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Use simple, clear language. Point to your own ears and the pictures on the charts as you explain. Emphasize that ears help us hear. Explain “clean” and “safe” using actions. Repeat the key safety message: “No putting things inside ears!”
What to show or demonstrate: Show a soft cloth and a cotton bud. Demonstrate how an adult would gently wipe *around* the outside of the ear with the cloth. Stress that the cotton bud is *only for the outside* and *only an adult* should use it. Show pictures of things that should *never* go into ears (e.g., pencils, small stones). Use a toy with ears to demonstrate gentle care.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the rhyme by singing it slowly first. Encourage pupils to listen and then join in. Guide them through the actions, repeating the rhyme several times to help them remember the words and the message about safe ear care.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can point to their ears and if they understand the difference between safe (adult-led, external cleaning) and unsafe (putting objects inside) practices. Look for participation in the rhyme and actions.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Repetition, Practical Activity.
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Greeting/Engagement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads a short “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song, focusing on pointing to different body parts, including the ears.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, sing along, and point to their body parts as instructed.
Learning Point: Pupils recall and identify basic body parts.
Step 2: Introducing the Ears
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Observation/Naming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “What part of our body helps us hear?” and points to their ears. The teacher then shows pictures of ears and asks pupils to point to their own ears. “These are our ears!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, point to their ears, and repeat “ears.”
Learning Point: Pupils identify and name their ears.
Step 3: Why Care for Our Ears?
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains simply, “Our ears help us listen to Mummy, Daddy, and our friends. We need to keep them healthy so we can hear everything!” The teacher asks, “Do we want healthy ears?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and respond with “yes” or nod their heads.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance of ears for hearing.
Step 4: Safe Ear Cleaning Demonstration
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates with a soft cloth and a cotton bud (emphasizing *external* use only). “Mummy or Daddy helps us clean *around* our ears with a soft cloth, like this.” (Demonstrates wiping around the ear). “Sometimes they use a cotton bud *only on the outside*, never inside!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the demonstration carefully and may pretend to wipe around their ears with their fingers.
Learning Point: Pupils observe and learn how ears are safely cleaned by an adult.
Step 5: What NOT to Put in Our Ears
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Safety/Warning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of sharp objects (e.g., pencil, small stick) and small toys. “No, no, no! We never put these in our ears! This can hurt our ears!” The teacher asks pupils to shake their heads “no.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils shake their heads “no” and repeat “no, no, no” to putting objects in ears.
Learning Point: Pupils learn to avoid putting objects into their ears.
Step 6: Rhyme and Reinforcement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Singing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Ear Care Rhyme” with actions. The teacher repeats the rhyme several times, encouraging full participation.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme and perform the actions, reinforcing safe ear care practices.
Learning Point: Pupils internalize safe ear care messages through song and movement.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4–5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “Point to your ears.”
- “What do we use our ears for?” (Encourage “hear” or pointing to ears).
- “Can we put a pencil in our ears?” (Encourage shaking head “no”).
- “Who helps us clean our ears?” (Encourage “Mummy” or “Daddy”).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summary/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for learning about their ears. “Good job, everyone! Remember to always take good care of your ears and ask an adult for help!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and respond with “thank you” or “yes.”
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and feel encouraged.
Lesson Keywords
- Ear – The part of our body that helps us hear.
- Clean – To make something free from dirt.
- Safe – Not in danger; protected from harm.
- Help – To get assistance from someone, especially an adult.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher will provide more one-on-one repetition, guide their hand to point to their ears, and use simpler, single-word instructions. They can also use larger pictures of ears.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can ask them to identify ears on different animals in pictures or encourage them to lead the actions for the rhyme.
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