Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare a large mirror, pictures of healthy skin, and a chart showing different parts of the body covered by skin. Ensure pupils understand that their skin is the protective covering of their body and that keeping it clean is important for health. Observe pupils as they identify their skin and mention its basic functions.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 1
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: CARE OF THE SKIN: MEANING, IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTIONS
Subject Matter: Care of the Skin: Meaning, Identification and Functions.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Discuss the simple meaning of skin.
- Identify their own skin by pointing to it.
- Mention at least two functions of the skin.
Affective Domain
- Appreciate the importance of skin as a body covering.
- Show willingness to keep their skin clean.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to different areas of their skin.
- Demonstrate a gentle touch to show how skin helps us feel.
Social Domain
- Participate in discussions about skin.
- Listen respectfully while others speak.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Large mirror
- Chart showing the human body with skin
- Pictures of children with clean, healthy skin
- Small, soft sponge or cloth
- A bar of soap
- Video clip on the functions of skin for children
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it introduces them to understanding their own body and its protective covering, the skin. Learning about the skin’s meaning, how to identify it, and its basic functions helps children develop body awareness and lays the foundation for good personal hygiene habits.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify some parts of their body and know that they need to keep their body clean.Lesson Content/Board Summary
CARE OF THE SKIN: MEANING, IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTIONS
Meaning of Skin
Our skin is the covering all over our body. It is like a blanket that covers us from head to toe.
Identification of Skin
You can see and feel your skin! Touch your arm, your leg, your face. That is your skin.
Functions of the Skin
Our skin does many important things:
- It covers our body and holds everything inside.
- It protects our body from germs and bumps.
- It helps us feel things, like hot, cold, soft, or rough.
My Skin, My Friend Song
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
My skin, my skin, all over me,
Keeps me safe, as you can see.
Covers me from head to toe,
Helps me feel, and helps me grow.
My skin, my skin, so soft and neat,
I’ll keep it clean, from head to feet!
Actions: Point to different parts of skin, hug self, pretend to wash hands, rub arms gently.
Watch and Learn About Our Skin
Key Words
- Skin – the covering all over our body.
- Covers – to be on top of something.
- Protects – to keep safe from harm.
- Feel – to sense with our skin.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Start by asking pupils what covers their body. Introduce “skin” as the answer. Use simple language and repetition. Ask pupils to point to their own skin as you discuss its meaning and identification. For functions, demonstrate with a soft sponge (feeling soft) and explain how skin protects them from small bumps. Emphasize that skin helps them know if something is hot or cold.
What to show or demonstrate: Use the large mirror for pupils to see their skin. Point to the skin on the chart. Demonstrate touching different textures (e.g., a smooth block, a rough cloth) to show how skin helps us feel. Show a bar of soap and a sponge as tools for keeping skin clean.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing “My Skin, My Friend Song” together, encouraging pupils to perform the actions. Repeat the song 2-3 times to help them learn the lyrics and actions, reinforcing the idea of skin and keeping it clean.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn more about their skin. Play the video “Our Skin” from Kids Health. After watching, ask pupils to share one new thing they learned or one thing they remembered about their skin from the video. Encourage them to mimic any actions or sounds from the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can correctly identify their skin and articulate at least one function. Watch for pupils who might be shy and encourage their participation by asking them to point or show 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: Engagement/Warm-up
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in a short “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” song to warm up and review body parts.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and sing the song, touching their body parts as they sing.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and reminded of their body parts.
Step 2: Meaning of Skin
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Introduction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the topic “Care of the Skin.” The teacher asks, “What covers our body?” and explains that “Skin is the covering all over our body, like a blanket.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat the word “skin.” They try to answer the question.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that skin covers their body.
Step 3: Identification of Skin
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to look in the mirror and point to their skin. The teacher demonstrates by pointing to her own arm, leg, and face, saying, “This is my skin.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look in the mirror (if available) or at their own body and point to their skin on their arms, legs, and face.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify their own skin.
Step 4: Functions of the Skin
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Activity-based Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses simple functions of the skin:
- It covers and holds our body.
- It protects us from harm.
- It helps us feel (demonstrates with a soft sponge).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat the functions. They touch the soft sponge and describe how it feels. They give examples of things their skin helps them feel.
Learning Point: Pupils understand basic functions of the skin (covers, protects, feels).
Step 5: Reinforcement with Rhyme/Song
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Song/Rhyme Integration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing “My Skin, My Friend Song” with actions, reinforcing the meaning and importance of skin.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the song and perform the actions, pointing to their skin and pretending to wash.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce learning through song and movement.
Step 6: Video Reinforcement
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Learning/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the short educational video about “Our Skin” and guides a brief discussion afterwards, asking pupils what they saw or learned.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video attentively and share one thing they remember or found interesting about skin from the video.
Learning Point: Pupils gain further understanding and visual reinforcement of skin functions.
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.
- “What is the covering all over your body called?”
- “Point to your skin.”
- “Tell me one thing your skin does for you.”
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: Summarisation/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the lesson by reminding pupils that their skin covers and protects them, and helps them feel. The teacher encourages them to always keep their skin clean. The teacher thanks the pupils for participating.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and say “Thank you, Teacher.”
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to practise good hygiene.
Lesson Keywords
- Skin – the outer covering of the human body.
- Covers – to spread over or enclose.
- Protects – to keep safe from harm.
- Feel – to perceive by the sense of touch.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are struggling, the teacher will use larger pictures of skin, provide more hand-over-hand guidance to point to their skin, and repeat the key functions using simple gestures.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concepts quickly, the teacher can ask them to name another way they can keep their skin healthy (e.g., drinking water, eating fruits, covering up from too much sun) or identify skin on a doll or toy.
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