Child Immunisation, Meaning and Schedule for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 7
Age: 16-17 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Home Management
Topic: Common ailments in children
Subject Matter: Immunization- meaning and schedule; Toys and play materials- Meaning of play; Importance of play; Types of toys; Factors to consider when choosing/selecting and buying toys

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define immunisation.
• State the recommended immunisation schedule for children.
• Explain the meaning of play in early childhood.
• Identify different types of toys.
• List factors to consider when choosing and buying toys.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of child immunisation for preventing diseases.
• Value the role of play in a child’s overall development.
• Show interest in selecting safe and appropriate toys for children.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the ability to identify suitable toys for different age groups.
• Discuss the benefits of various types of play for children.

Social Domain

• Promote awareness of child immunisation in their communities.
• Advocate for providing children with adequate play opportunities and appropriate toys.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Home Management for Senior Secondary Schools Textbook
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing immunisation schedules
• Pictures of children receiving immunisation
• Various types of real toys (e.g., building blocks, dolls, puzzles, soft toys)
• Pictures illustrating children engaged in different types of play

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important as it equips students with knowledge on preventing childhood diseases through immunisation, which is crucial for child survival and health. It also highlights the significance of play and appropriate toys in a child’s physical, mental, social, and emotional development, enabling students to make informed decisions in child care.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students have basic knowledge of child care and general health practices from previous lessons in Home Management or Integrated Science.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Common ailments in children

Child Immunisation

Meaning of Immunisation

Immunisation is the process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to produce antibodies, providing immunity against specific infections.

Immunisation Schedule

The immunisation schedule outlines the recommended ages for administering various vaccines to children to protect them from common infectious diseases. A typical schedule includes:

1. At Birth: BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) for Tuberculosis, Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV 0), Hepatitis B (HBV 0).
2. 6 Weeks: DPT-HepB-Hib 1 (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b), OPV 1, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV 1), Rotavirus Vaccine 1.
3. 10 Weeks: DPT-HepB-Hib 2, OPV 2, PCV 2, Rotavirus Vaccine 2.
4. 14 Weeks: DPT-HepB-Hib 3, OPV 3, PCV 3.
5. 9 Months: Measles and Rubella (MR 1), Yellow Fever.
6. 15-18 Months: Measles and Rubella (MR 2), Vitamin A.
7. Booster Doses: Boosters for DPT and Polio may be given at 4-6 years of age.

Toys and Play Materials

Meaning of Play

Play is a voluntary, intrinsically motivated activity engaged in for pleasure and enjoyment, often without an explicit goal or purpose beyond the activity itself. For children, play is a fundamental way of learning, exploring, and interacting with the world around them.

Importance of Play

Play is essential for a child’s holistic development. Its importance includes:

1. Physical Development: Improves gross and fine motor skills, coordination, balance, and strength.
2. Cognitive Development: Enhances problem-solving abilities, creativity, imagination, language skills, and understanding of concepts.
3. Social Development: Teaches cooperation, sharing, negotiation, empathy, and understanding social rules through interaction with others.
4. Emotional Development: Helps children express feelings, cope with stress, build self-confidence, and develop a sense of identity.
5. Language and Communication: Encourages verbal and non-verbal communication as children interact during play.

Types of Toys

Toys can be categorised based on their function and the type of play they encourage:

1. Constructive Toys: Encourage building and creating (e.g., building blocks, LEGOs, puzzles, clay).
2. Manipulative Toys: Develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination (e.g., beads, shape sorters, lacing toys).
3. Imaginative/Dramatic Play Toys: Foster role-playing and creativity (e.g., dolls, dollhouses, dress-up clothes, kitchen sets, toy cars).
4. Educational Toys: Promote learning of concepts, letters, numbers (e.g., alphabet blocks, educational tablets, science kits).
5. Active/Outdoor Toys: Encourage physical activity (e.g., balls, tricycles, jump ropes, swings).
6. Sensory Toys: Stimulate senses (e.g., rattles, musical instruments, textured balls).

Factors to Consider When Choosing and Buying Toys

When selecting toys for children, several factors should be considered to ensure safety, appropriateness, and developmental benefits:

1. Age Appropriateness: Toys should match the child’s developmental stage and abilities. Labels often provide age recommendations.
2. Safety: Check for non-toxic materials, sturdy construction, absence of small detachable parts for young children (choking hazard), and sharp edges.
3. Durability: Choose toys that can withstand frequent use and play.
4. Educational Value: Select toys that stimulate creativity, problem-solving, and learning.
5. Interest of the Child: Consider the child’s preferences and interests to ensure engagement.
6. Versatility: Toys that can be used in multiple ways or for different types of play offer more value.
7. Easy to Clean: Especially for younger children, toys should be easy to sanitise.
8. Cost: Balance quality and developmental benefits with budget considerations.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Group Work

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to mention some common illnesses they have observed in children. The teacher then introduces the topic by linking these ailments to prevention through immunisation and healthy development through play.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by mentioning illnesses like measles, polio, and cough. They listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Overview of child health

Step 2: Meaning of Immunisation

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of immunisation, emphasising its role in protecting children from diseases. The teacher uses a chart or pictures to illustrate the concept.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, ask questions for clarification, and contribute to the discussion.

Learning Point: Definition of immunisation

Step 3: Immunisation Schedule

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Information Delivery/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents a chart showing the typical immunisation schedule for children, explaining the vaccines given at different ages and the diseases they prevent. The teacher encourages students to ask questions.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the chart, listen to the explanation, and ask questions about the schedule.

Learning Point: Child immunisation schedule

Step 4: Meaning of Play

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Introduction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher transitions to the second part of the lesson by asking students what they understand by “play.” The teacher then provides a clear definition of play in the context of child development.

Pupils’ Activity: Students offer their ideas about play and listen to the teacher’s explanation.

Learning Point: Meaning of play

Step 5: Importance of Play

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a discussion on the importance of play for a child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, using examples to illustrate each point.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the discussion, sharing their thoughts and examples of how play benefits children.

Learning Point: Benefits of play

Step 6: Types of Toys and Selection Factors

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Categorisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various real toys and guides students to identify different types. The teacher then discusses key factors to consider when choosing and buying toys, such as age-appropriateness, safety, and educational value.

Pupils’ Activity: Students examine the toys, categorise them, and discuss the factors for selection based on the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Toy types and selection

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is immunisation?
2. Mention two vaccines given to children and their typical ages.
3. Define play in the context of child development.
4. State three reasons why play is important for children.
5. List three factors to consider when buying toys for a child.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Immunisation and play understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on child immunisation, play, and toys into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key takeaways of the lesson, reiterating the importance of immunisation for child health and the role of play and appropriate toys in child development. The teacher encourages students to apply this knowledge in real-life situations.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Research and write a short paragraph on the importance of booster doses in a child’s immunisation schedule.
2. Observe children playing in your community or a public space. Identify at least three types of play they engage in and the kinds of toys they use (if any).
3. Suggest two ways parents can ensure the safety of toys for their children.

Lesson Keywords

• Immunisation – The process of making a person immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by vaccination.
• Vaccine – A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases.
• Schedule – A plan of times at which things are intended to happen.
• Play – Voluntary, enjoyable activity for children that aids development.
• Toys – Objects for children to play with.
• Development – The process of growth and change.

Differentiation

For weaker learners: Provide simplified charts of the immunisation schedule and pre-categorised toy examples. Encourage them to focus on defining key terms and listing basic importance points. Pair them with stronger learners for group activities.

For faster learners: Challenge them to research specific childhood diseases prevented by immunisation or to design a simple play area for a child, justifying their toy choices based on developmental benefits. Encourage them to lead group discussions.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, students can search on YouTube for:

• “Child immunisation schedule Nigeria”
• “Importance of play in child development”
• “Choosing safe and appropriate toys for children”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have prepared clear charts of the immunisation schedule and gathered a variety of real toys or clear pictures of different toy types. Begin by engaging students with their prior knowledge of childhood illnesses to set the context for immunisation. When discussing the immunisation schedule, focus on the general ages and types of vaccines, rather than memorising every detail, as schedules can vary slightly. For the section on toys and play, encourage hands-on interaction with the toys to make the concepts concrete. Guide students through the discussion on the importance of play, linking it to various developmental domains. During the “Types of Toys and Selection Factors” step, allow students to handle the toys and discuss their features. Ensure that students understand the safety considerations for toys. Students should copy the Board Summary notes during the designated note-taking step. Conclude by reinforcing the practical application of the knowledge gained in promoting child health and development.