Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before this lesson, prepare a small table setting with a placemat, a child-safe spoon, and a fork, along with some play food or empty plates. The central idea is for pupils to understand that eating time requires sitting still, being quiet, and using cutlery or hands carefully to avoid choking and show respect. Observe pupils during role-play to see if they can demonstrate sitting properly and using eating tools safely.

Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: Third Term
Week: 3
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: Good Table Manners: Eating Quietly and Safely
Subject Matter: Good Table Manners. Weekly focus: Good Table Manners: Eating Quietly and Safely.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Identify good table manners.
State reasons for eating quietly and safely.
Recognise the correct way to sit at a table.

Affective Domain

Show willingness to practice good table manners.
Appreciate the importance of eating quietly and safely.

Psychomotor Domain

Demonstrate how to sit properly at a table.
Practise using a spoon, fork, or hand correctly during mealtime.

Participate in role-play activities about mealtime manners.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

Picture cards showing good and bad table manners
Chart posters illustrating proper sitting and eating
Child-safe spoons and forks
Placemats and small plates
Play food or empty bowls
Storybook or picture book about mealtime
Flash cards with images of cutlery and hands
Video on good table manners for children

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 3-year-olds as it teaches essential social skills and safety habits during mealtime. Learning good table manners helps children develop self-control, show respect for others, and prevent accidents like choking, making mealtime a pleasant and safe experience for everyone.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can identify different types of food and understand basic hygiene practices like washing hands before eating.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Good Table Manners: Eating Quietly and Safely

What are Good Table Manners?

Good table manners are polite ways we behave when we eat. They make mealtime nice for everyone.

Eating Quietly

We eat quietly so we don’t disturb others.
Talking too much or laughing with food in our mouth can make us choke.
We chew our food slowly and swallow before talking.

Eating Safely

Sitting at the Table: We sit properly on our chair, close to the table. No standing or running around with food.
Using Spoon, Fork, or Hand:
- We hold our spoon or fork correctly.
- We put small amounts of food in our mouth.
- If we use our hand, we use the right hand and keep it clean.
- We don’t play with our food or cutlery.
Eating safely means we don’t get food stuck in the “wrong place” and we don’t hurt ourselves or others.

Key Words

Manners – polite ways of behaving.
Quietly – making little or no noise.
Safely – without danger or harm.
Spoon – a tool for eating soft food.
Fork – a tool with prongs for picking up food.
Hand – using our clean fingers to eat.

Mealtime Manners Rhyme

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Lyrics:

When we eat, we sit so still,
No loud talks, no running drill.
Chew our food, small and slow,
Good manners help us grow, you know!
Spoon or hand, we use with care,
No food flying in the air!

Actions: Sit still, put finger to lips, make chewing motion, point to self, pretend to use spoon/fork, shake head “no.”

Watch and Learn Good Manners

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5R-1g0P5qY

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Introduce the concept of “good manners” generally, then narrow down to “table manners.” Explain each point using simple language and relate it to pupils’ daily meal experiences at home or school. Emphasise the safety aspect of eating quietly and sitting properly to prevent choking.

What to show or demonstrate: Use picture cards to show children sitting and eating politely versus rudely. Demonstrate how to sit properly at a table (straight back, close to the table). Show how to hold a child-safe spoon and fork, and how to use a clean hand for eating. Use play food for practical demonstrations.

How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Mealtime Manners Rhyme” together with the actions. Repeat it several times to help pupils remember the key messages about eating quietly and safely. Encourage them to perform the actions.

How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn more about good table manners. After watching, ask pupils to identify one good manner they saw in the video and demonstrate it. Discuss why those manners are important.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand the difference between quiet and noisy eating, and if they can imitate the correct way of sitting and using cutlery/hands. Correct gently if they try to talk with food in their mouth during role-play.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Imitation, Manipulation of Objects, Repetition, Practical Activity.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: Greet pupils. Ask them what they do before eating (e.g., wash hands). Ask them how they eat their food at home.

Pupils’ Activity: Greet the teacher, respond to questions, and share their experiences.

Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge about mealtime routines.

Step 2: Introducing Good Table Manners

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Visualising

Teacher’s Activity: Introduce the topic: “Good Table Manners.” Show pictures of children eating politely and impolitely. Explain that good manners make mealtime happy and safe. Introduce the idea of eating quietly and safely.

Pupils’ Activity: Observe the pictures, listen to the teacher, and identify good vs. bad manners.

Learning Point: Pupils understand what good table manners are.

Step 3: Learning to Eat Quietly

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstrating/Explaining

Teacher’s Activity: Explain why we eat quietly (no talking with food in mouth, no loud noises, no choking). Demonstrate chewing slowly and swallowing before speaking. Ask pupils to practice making a “quiet” sound.

Pupils’ Activity: Listen, imitate quiet chewing, and practice making a “shhh” sound.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance of eating quietly and how to do it.

Step 4: Learning to Eat Safely (Sitting and Using Tools)

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstrating/Guiding

Teacher’s Activity: Show pupils how to sit properly at a table (straight, close to the table). Demonstrate how to hold a spoon and fork correctly using real cutlery. Show how to use a clean hand for eating. Emphasise not playing with food or tools.

Pupils’ Activity: Practice sitting properly at a child-sized table, hold a spoon/fork, and pretend to eat carefully.

Learning Point: Pupils learn how to sit safely and use eating tools correctly.

Step 5: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Singing/Visual Learning

Teacher’s Activity: Lead pupils in singing the “Mealtime Manners Rhyme” with actions. Play the verified video on good table manners. After the video, ask pupils to point out one thing they learned.

Pupils’ Activity: Sing the rhyme with actions, watch the video, and identify good manners shown.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce learning through song and visual examples.

Step 6: Role-Play Mealtime

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating/Observing

Teacher’s Activity: Set up a pretend mealtime with placemats, plates, and play food. Ask pupils to sit down and pretend to eat, practicing sitting quietly and using their spoon/fork/hand carefully. Provide gentle reminders.

Pupils’ Activity: Participate in the role-play, practicing the good table manners learned.

Learning Point: Pupils apply good table manners in a practical setting.

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.

Show me how you sit at the table.
Why should we eat quietly?
Show me how you hold your spoon.
Is it good to play with food? (Pupils shake head “no”)

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: Summarising/Encouraging

Teacher’s Activity: Summarise the importance of good table manners for eating quietly and safely. Encourage pupils to practice these manners every day at home and at school. End with a cheerful song about healthy habits.

Pupils’ Activity: Listen, repeat the main points, and sing along.

Learning Point: Pupils are motivated to practice good table manners consistently.

Lesson Keywords

Manners – polite ways of behaving.
Quietly – making little or no noise.
Safely – without danger or harm.
Spoon – a tool for eating soft food.
Fork – a tool with prongs for picking up food.
Hand – using our clean fingers to eat.

Differentiation

Support: Provide one-on-one demonstration for pupils struggling with holding cutlery. Use larger picture cards for clearer visual cues. Give more verbal cues and hand-over-hand guidance during role-play. Focus on just one or two key manners for easier recall.
Extension: Ask advanced pupils to name another good table manner not discussed (e.g., waiting for everyone to be served). Encourage them to demonstrate how to pass food politely. They can also help model good manners for their peers during role-play.