Correct Learning Position and Sitting Posture for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Understanding and showing respect for teachers and elders.
Topic: Correct Learning Position and Sitting Posture
Subject Matter: Correct Learning Position. Weekly focus: Correct Learning Position and Sitting Posture.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the features of a correct sitting posture.
• Explain why it is important to sit properly when learning.

Affective Domain

• Show willingness to practise correct sitting posture.
• Appreciate the importance of good posture for their health.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the correct sitting posture at their desks.
• Practise sitting properly during classroom activities.

Social Domain

• Participate actively in discussions and activities related to good posture.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources on personal development
• Relevant early-years workbooks/charts

Instructional Materials

• Posters showing children with good and bad sitting postures
• Charts illustrating correct learning positions
• Classroom chairs and tables
• Pictures of children sitting correctly

Rationale for the Lesson

Learning correct sitting posture is essential for young children as it promotes healthy physical development, prevents future back problems, and helps them concentrate better during learning activities. This lesson equips pupils with practical skills to maintain good posture, contributing to their overall well-being and academic readiness.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can sit on chairs and follow simple instructions from the teacher.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Correct Learning Position and Sitting Posture

A correct learning position means sitting properly at your desk so your body is healthy and you can learn well.

What is a correct sitting posture?

• Back Straight: Your back should be straight, not bent or slouched. Imagine a string pulling your head gently up to the ceiling.
• Feet Flat: Your feet should be flat on the floor or supported by a footrest.
• Shoulders Relaxed: Your shoulders should be relaxed and not hunched up.
• Head Up: Your head should be straight, looking forward, not bent too far down.
• Eyes Distance: When reading or writing, keep a good distance between your eyes and the book/paper.

Why is correct sitting posture important?

• It helps your back stay strong and healthy.
• It helps you breathe better.
• It helps you focus and concentrate on your learning.
• It makes you feel more comfortable.
• It makes you look neat and confident.

Key Words

• Posture – the way you hold your body when sitting or standing.
• Straight – not bent or curved.
• Healthy – strong and well.
• Sit – to rest your body on a chair or the floor.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

The teacher should display posters showing children sitting correctly and incorrectly. The teacher will also demonstrate the correct sitting posture at a classroom desk.

Sitting Up Straight Rhyme

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Sit up straight, sit up tall,
Don’t you slouch or let your back fall.
Feet are flat upon the floor,
Ready now to learn some more.
Back is strong and shoulders down,
Best posture in the whole town!

Actions:

• “Sit up straight, sit up tall” – Pupils sit up very straight, stretching upwards.
• “Don’t you slouch or let your back fall” – Pupils briefly slouch then quickly correct their posture.
• “Feet are flat upon the floor” – Pupils tap their feet on the floor.
• “Ready now to learn some more” – Pupils nod their heads.
• “Back is strong and shoulders down” – Pupils pat their back and gently push shoulders down.
• “Best posture in the whole town!” – Pupils give a thumbs up.

How to use the rhyme: Sing this rhyme together as a class, encouraging pupils to perform the actions and check their own posture as they sing.

Watch and Practise

The teacher will show a short video about good posture for children to reinforce the lesson visually and through song.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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 warmly and asks them how they are sitting. “Are you sitting comfortably? Are you sitting up straight?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s greeting and briefly show how they are sitting.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the idea of sitting.

Step 2: Presentation of Topic

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Picture Talk

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the topic: “Today, we will learn about the correct way to sit when we are learning, called ‘correct sitting posture’.” The teacher shows pictures/posters of children sitting correctly and incorrectly, asking pupils to identify the good and bad postures and why one is better.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures, identify good and bad postures, and offer simple reasons.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of good and bad posture visually.

Step 3: Teacher Demonstration

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher moves to a classroom desk and clearly demonstrates the correct sitting posture, explaining each step: “Back straight, feet flat on the floor, shoulders relaxed, head up.” The teacher also briefly shows an incorrect posture (slouching) for contrast.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstration carefully, paying attention to the details of correct posture.

Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct physical actions for good posture.

Step 4: Guided Practice

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Correction

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher instructs pupils to sit properly at their own desks, guiding them step-by-step: “Everyone, back straight! Feet flat on the floor! Shoulders down!” The teacher walks around, gently correcting pupils’ postures and offering positive reinforcement. Special attention is given to ensuring all pupils, including female pupils, adopt a graceful and correct posture.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils try to imitate the correct sitting posture at their desks, making adjustments with the teacher’s guidance.

Learning Point: Pupils begin to practise and feel the correct posture themselves.

Step 5: Rhyme/Video Reinforcement

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Songs and Rhymes/Video Integration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Sitting Up Straight Rhyme” with actions. Alternatively, the teacher plays the “Good Posture Song” video and encourages pupils to sing along and move as shown in the video, maintaining good posture.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions or watch the video, actively participating and reinforcing the concept of good posture.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce learning through song, movement, and visual media.

Step 6: Application/Independent Practice

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to sit correctly while performing a very short, simple activity, such as drawing a quick circle or identifying a letter on their paper. The teacher observes their posture during this activity.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sit in the correct posture while completing the short activity.

Learning Point: Pupils apply correct posture in a practical learning context.

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.

1. “Show me how to sit with a straight back.”
2. “Where should your feet be when you sit correctly?”
3. “Why is it important to sit properly?”
4. “Can you show me a bad way to sit?” (and then correct it).

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: Summarisation/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their effort and reminds them to always try to sit properly in class and at home. “Remember, good posture makes you strong and helps you learn!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the importance of good posture.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to continue practising good posture.

Lesson Keywords

• Posture – the way you hold your body when sitting or standing.
• Straight – not bent or curved.
• Healthy – strong and well.
• Sit – to rest your body on a chair or the floor.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils struggling to maintain posture, the teacher can provide more physical prompts (e.g., gently touching their back to remind them to sit straight), use larger pictures, or pair them with a peer who demonstrates good posture. Repetition and one-on-one guidance will be key.
• Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, the teacher can ask them to explain in their own words why good posture is important, or to identify other situations (e.g., eating, watching TV) where good posture is beneficial. They can also demonstrate different correct sitting positions (e.g., on the floor with legs crossed).

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure your classroom has appropriate chairs and tables for the pupils’ height. Prepare clear posters or pictures showing correct and incorrect postures. Emphasise that good posture is not just about looking neat, but also about health and comfort. When correcting pupils, be gentle and encouraging, focusing on positive reinforcement rather than criticism. Consistent reminders throughout the day, not just during this lesson, will help pupils internalise the habit. The specific note about female pupils should be integrated by encouraging all pupils to sit gracefully and correctly, promoting overall good posture for everyone’s well-being and confidence. Observable actions like pupils sitting up straight without prompting, or being able to explain one benefit of good posture, indicate understanding.