Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare real, clean toothbrushes, a tube of toothpaste, a bottle of mouthwash, and a cup for demonstration. Ensure you have charts or pictures showing healthy teeth and the brushing process. The central idea for these 2-year-olds is to recognise the tools and imitate simple brushing motions. For safety, use water for mouthwash demonstration and ensure pupils only use dry toothbrushes or water for their practice. Observe closely to see if pupils can point to the tools and mimic the actions.
Class: Pre-School Level 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 4
Age: 2 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: CARE OF THE MOUTH AND TEETH
Subject Matter: Care of the Mouth and Teeth: Brushing and Mouthwash; Materials used to take care of the mouth and teeth.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash.
- Name one way to care for their teeth (brushing).
Affective Domain
- Show interest in learning about teeth care.
- Listen to the teacher’s instructions during the demonstration.
Psychomotor Domain
- Imitate the motion of brushing teeth.
- Point to their mouth and teeth.
Social Domain
- Participate in group activities like singing and movements.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 1
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Charts showing healthy teeth and brushing steps
- Real toothbrush
- Real toothpaste
- Real mouthwash
- A small cup of water (for demonstration)
- Video clips on brushing teeth for toddlers
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 2-year-olds as it introduces essential hygiene habits early in life. Learning about mouth and teeth care helps children understand how to keep their teeth strong, prevent germs, and maintain fresh breath, contributing to their overall health and well-being.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify basic body parts like their mouth and teeth.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Care of the Mouth and Teeth
Taking care of our mouth and teeth means keeping them clean and healthy. This helps us eat, talk, and smile nicely.
Why We Care for Our Mouth and Teeth
- To keep our teeth strong.
- To chase away germs that can make our teeth hurt.
- To have a fresh mouth and nice breath.
When to Brush Our Teeth
We should brush our teeth at least two times every day:
- In the morning, when we wake up.
- At night, before we sleep.
Materials for Mouth and Teeth Care
- Toothbrush: A special brush to clean our teeth.
- Toothpaste: A special cream that helps the toothbrush clean our teeth and makes them shiny.
- Mouthwash: A special liquid to rinse our mouth and make it feel fresh.
- Cup: To hold water for rinsing.
How to Brush Our Teeth (Simple Steps)
- Put a little toothpaste on the toothbrush.
- Put the toothbrush in your mouth.
- Move the brush gently up and down, and side to side on your teeth.
- Spit out the toothpaste foam.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
Brushing Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Brush, brush, brush your teeth,
Every morning, every night.
Make them shiny, clean and bright,
Brush, brush, brush your teeth.
Actions: Pupils pretend to hold a toothbrush and make brushing motions while singing.
Watch and Practise
Key Words
- Toothbrush – A tool we use to clean our teeth.
- Toothpaste – A cream that helps clean our teeth.
- Mouthwash – A liquid we rinse our mouth with.
- Brush – To clean with a brush.
- Clean – To make something neat and free from dirt.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the topic by asking pupils about their teeth. Use the charts to show healthy teeth and explain why care is important in simple, short sentences. Emphasize “morning” and “night” for brushing times. Show each material (toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash) one by one, naming them clearly and having pupils repeat the names.
What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate the simple steps of brushing using a real toothbrush (dry, or with a tiny bit of water) on your own teeth, a large teeth model, or even a puppet. Show how to put a tiny amount of toothpaste. For mouthwash, demonstrate with a cup of water, showing how to gargle and spit (without actually swallowing). Repeat the demonstration slowly.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Brushing Rhyme” after demonstrating brushing. Sing it slowly first, performing the actions. Encourage pupils to join in, imitating the brushing motions with their hands or dry toothbrushes. Repeat the rhyme several times throughout the lesson for reinforcement.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see how to brush teeth. Play the “Brush Your Teeth Song” video. Encourage pupils to watch and imitate the actions shown in the video. After watching, ask simple questions like “What did the children do in the video?” or “What did they use to clean their teeth?”
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can point to the toothbrush and toothpaste when named. Watch for their ability to imitate the brushing motion. Encourage all pupils to participate, offering gentle guidance for those who are shy or struggling.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Repetition
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Greeting/Engaging
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and leads them in a short “Good Morning” song. The teacher then asks pupils to point to their mouth and teeth, initiating a discussion about them.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing along, and point to their mouth and teeth.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and focused on the topic of mouth and teeth.
Step 2: Presentation of “Why and When to Brush”
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows charts of healthy and unhealthy teeth. The teacher explains in simple terms why it’s important to care for teeth (strong teeth, no germs) and when to brush (morning and night). The teacher asks, “When do we brush our teeth?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the charts, listen to the teacher, and repeat “morning” and “night” with guidance.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance of teeth care and when to brush.
Step 3: Identification of Materials
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Naming/Object Recognition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher brings out a real toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash. The teacher shows each item, names it clearly, and asks pupils to repeat the name. “This is a toothbrush. Say ‘toothbrush’!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the materials, point to them, and repeat the names after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify and name the materials used for teeth care.
Step 4: Teacher Demonstration of Brushing
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the simple steps of brushing teeth using a clean toothbrush (and a tiny bit of toothpaste, if desired, or just water). The teacher shows gentle up-and-down and side-to-side motions. The teacher also demonstrates rinsing with water from a cup, emphasizing spitting out.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully, observing the motions.
Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct way to brush and rinse their mouth.
Step 5: Guided Practice (Brushing Motion and Rhyme)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes dry toothbrushes (or asks pupils to use their fingers to pretend). The teacher leads pupils in imitating the brushing motions demonstrated earlier. The teacher then leads the “Brushing Rhyme,” encouraging pupils to sing and perform the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils hold their toothbrushes (or pretend) and imitate the brushing motions. They sing the rhyme and perform the actions.
Learning Point: Pupils practise brushing motions and reinforce learning through song.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement and Mouthwash Practice
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Learning/Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces a short video about brushing teeth. After the video, the teacher guides pupils to pretend to use mouthwash (using a cup of water or just miming the action). The teacher asks, “What did we use to clean our teeth in the video?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, imitate actions, and pretend to rinse their mouths. They respond to the teacher’s question.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce learning through visual aids and practise mouth-rinsing actions.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “Point to the toothbrush.”
- “What is this?” (holding up toothpaste)
- “Show me how you brush your teeth.”
- “What do we use to rinse our mouth?” (showing mouthwash bottle)
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarizing/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always brush their teeth two times a day to keep them healthy and strong. The teacher encourages them to practise at home.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher and respond positively.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practise good oral hygiene habits.
Lesson Keywords
- Toothbrush – A tool with bristles used to clean teeth.
- Toothpaste – A paste used with a toothbrush to clean teeth.
- Mouthwash – A liquid used to rinse the mouth.
- Brush – To clean with a brush.
- Clean – Free from dirt or stains.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher can provide hand-over-hand guidance for brushing motions, use larger pictures of the materials, and offer more one-on-one repetition of key words.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, the teacher can ask them to identify the materials independently or demonstrate the brushing motion more confidently. They can also be asked to name one thing they should do after brushing (rinse).
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