Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare clean tissues or handkerchiefs for demonstration and pupil practice. The central idea is for pupils to understand that covering their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing stops germs from spreading. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can demonstrate the correct way to cover their mouth and nose using a tissue or their elbow.
Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Keeping Clean (Personal Hygiene)
Topic: Covering the Mouth and Nose When Sneezing and Coughing
Subject Matter: Simple Health Habits: Covering the Mouth and Nose When Sneezing and Coughing
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify when they need to cover their mouth and nose (when sneezing or coughing).
- Explain simply why it is important to cover their mouth and nose (to stop germs).
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough.
- Appreciate the importance of good health habits.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate the correct way to cover their mouth and nose using a tissue or their elbow.
- Practise covering their mouth and nose during guided activities.
Social Domain
- Participate in discussions about keeping themselves and others healthy.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Picture Charts showing children sneezing and coughing
- Flash Cards with images of germs
- Story Book about health and hygiene
- Clean tissues or handkerchiefs
- Chart Posters demonstrating how to cover the mouth and nose
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 3-year-olds as it teaches a fundamental hygiene practice that prevents the spread of germs and illnesses. By learning to cover their mouth and nose, children contribute to a healthier classroom and home environment, developing an early understanding of personal responsibility for public health.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have a basic understanding of keeping themselves clean and healthy, such as washing their hands.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Covering the Mouth and Nose When Sneezing and Coughing
When we sneeze or cough, tiny little things called germs fly out of our mouth and nose. These germs can make other people sick.
To stop germs from spreading, we must always cover our mouth and nose when we sneeze or cough.
How to cover:
- Use a clean tissue or handkerchief.
- If you don’t have a tissue, use the inside of your elbow.
It is a good habit to keep everyone healthy!
Key Words
- Sneeze – when air comes out of your nose and mouth suddenly.
- Cough – when air comes out of your mouth suddenly, making a sound.
- Germs – tiny things that can make us sick.
- Cover – to put something over your mouth and nose.
Cover Up Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
When you sneeze, or when you cough,
Cover up, and shake germs off.
Use a tissue, or your arm,
Keep your friends and self from harm.
Cover up, and be so kind,
Leave those germs far, far behind!
Actions: Pretend to sneeze/cough and cover mouth/nose with hand, then elbow. Make a “shoo” motion for germs.
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Explain what sneezing and coughing are in simple terms. Use picture charts to show children sneezing and coughing. Emphasize that germs are tiny and invisible, using flash cards of cartoon germs to make the concept concrete. Clearly demonstrate the two main ways to cover: with a tissue/handkerchief and with the elbow.
What to show or demonstrate: Demonstrate a pretend sneeze and cough, first covering with a hand (and explaining why this is not ideal), then with a tissue, and finally with the inside of the elbow. Show the picture charts and flash cards of germs.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Cover Up Rhyme” after explaining the concept. Sing it together several times, encouraging pupils to do the actions. Use it as a fun way to reinforce the correct habit.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see how other children cover their sneezes and coughs. Play the video, then pause to ask pupils what they saw and encourage them to practise the actions shown in the video. Repeat key phrases from the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand the concept of germs and if they can correctly imitate the covering action. Correct gentle hand-covering habits by guiding them to use a tissue or elbow instead.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Role-play
- Repetition
- Question and Answer
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads a short song about keeping healthy (e.g., “Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands”). The teacher then asks pupils what they do to stay healthy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, sing along, and share simple ideas about staying healthy.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and recall previous knowledge about health.
Step 2: What Happens When We Sneeze or Cough?
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Demonstrating
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils if they know what sneezing and coughing are. The teacher makes a pretend sneeze and cough sound and asks, “What comes out when we sneeze or cough?” The teacher shows a picture of someone sneezing/coughing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, make sneeze/cough sounds, and observe the picture.
Learning Point: Pupils recognise and understand what sneezing and coughing are.
Step 3: Why We Need to Cover (Germs!)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Visualizing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that tiny “germs” come out when we sneeze or cough, and these germs can make others sick. The teacher shows flash cards of cartoon germs and explains they are too small to see but can be harmful. The teacher asks, “How can we stop these germs?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, look at the germ flash cards, and offer ideas (e.g., “close mouth”).
Learning Point: Pupils understand that covering stops germs from spreading.
Step 4: How to Cover – Teacher Demonstration
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstrating/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the correct ways to cover:
- Using a tissue/handkerchief (cover, then throw away/put in laundry).
- Using the inside of the elbow (the “vampire cough”).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch carefully as the teacher demonstrates each method.
Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct techniques for covering their mouth and nose.
Step 5: Guided Practice and Rhyme
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guiding/Reinforcing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes tissues to pupils (or guides them to use their elbows) and leads them in practising the covering action. The teacher then introduces and leads the class in singing the “Cover Up Rhyme” with actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practise covering their mouth and nose, then sing the rhyme with actions.
Learning Point: Pupils actively practise the habit and reinforce learning through song.
Step 6: Video and Discussion
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Learning/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces a short video about covering coughs and sneezes. After the video, the teacher asks questions like, “What did the children in the video do?” and encourages pupils to practise again.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and participate in a short discussion, then practise the covering action once more.
Learning Point: Pupils gain further visual reinforcement and confidence in the habit.
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.
- “What should you do if you need to sneeze?”
- “Show me how you cover your mouth and nose with your elbow.”
- “Why do we cover our mouth and nose?”
- “What are the tiny things that can make us sick?”
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/Encouraging
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for learning a very important health habit. The teacher reminds them to always remember to cover their mouth and nose to keep everyone healthy and safe.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and affirm their commitment to practising the habit.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to apply the learned habit in their daily lives.
Lesson Keywords
- Sneeze – when air comes out of your nose and mouth suddenly.
- Cough – when air comes out of your mouth suddenly, making a sound.
- Germs – tiny things that can make us sick.
- Cover – to put something over your mouth and nose.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide more one-on-one demonstration and hand-over-hand guidance to practice covering. Use larger, clearer pictures of sneezing/coughing and germs. Repeat the rhyme more slowly with exaggerated actions.
- Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to explain to a friend why covering is important. Ask them to identify other times they might need to cover their mouth (e.g., when yawning).
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