Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare a small amount of clean “refuse” (e.g., crumpled paper, dry leaves in a bag) and tissues for demonstration. Ensure you have soap, a basin with clean water, and a clean towel ready. The central idea is for pupils to understand that hands must be washed after touching dirty things like refuse or after sneezing, and to be able to demonstrate the basic steps of hand washing. Observe pupils actively participating in the hand washing demonstration and singing the song with actions.
Class: Pre-School Level 2
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 3 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Washing Hands After Play, After Touching Animals
Topic: Hand Washing After Touching Refuse and Sneezing
Subject Matter: Hand Washing After Touching Refuse and Sneezing
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify two situations when they should wash their hands (after touching refuse, after sneezing).
- Name items needed for hand washing (soap, water).
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to wash their hands after touching refuse or sneezing.
- Appreciate the importance of clean hands for staying healthy.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate the basic steps of hand washing (wet, soap, rub, rinse, dry).
- Perform actions for the “Clean Hands Song.”
Social Domain
- Participate actively in group discussions and activities about hand washing.
- Take turns during practical demonstrations.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 2
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources on hygiene
Instructional Materials
- Soap (bar or liquid)
- Basin with clean water
- Clean towel
- Small amount of “refuse” (e.g., crumpled paper, dry leaves in a bag) for demonstration
- Tissues
- Picture cards showing children touching refuse, sneezing, and washing hands
- Chart posters on hand washing steps
- Storybook about hygiene
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 3-year-olds as it teaches them essential hygiene practices that prevent the spread of germs and illness. By learning to wash their hands after touching dirty items like refuse or after sneezing, children develop habits that promote their health and the health of those around them, fostering a cleaner and safer environment at home and school.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify some dirty objects and understand that washing hands helps to remove dirt. They may have also learned about washing hands after playing or after touching animals.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Hand Washing After Touching Refuse and Sneezing
Our hands can pick up tiny, invisible germs when we touch dirty things or when we sneeze. These germs can make us sick if we put our hands in our mouth.
When to Wash Your Hands:
- After touching refuse: Refuse means rubbish or dirty things. If you touch rubbish, your hands get dirty with germs.
- After sneezing: When you sneeze, tiny drops come out of your nose and mouth. These drops can carry germs and get on your hands.
How to Wash Your Hands Properly:
- Wet your hands with clean water.
- Put some soap on your hands.
- Rub your hands together very well (front, back, in between fingers) for a little while.
- Rinse your hands with clean water until all the soap is gone.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel.
Clean Hands Song
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Rub, rub, rub your hands,
After refuse, after sneeze.
Wash away the dirty germs,
Keep them clean and help us please.
Rub, rub, rub your hands,
Healthy hands for you and me!
Actions: Mimic rubbing hands, pointing to refuse, pretending to sneeze, then rubbing hands again.
Watch and Practise
Key Words
- Refuse – rubbish, dirty things we throw away.
- Sneezing – when air comes out of your nose and mouth very fast.
- Germs – tiny things that can make us sick.
- Soap – what we use to wash our hands clean.
- Water – what we use to wet and rinse our hands.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Use simple, clear language. Show picture cards of refuse and a child sneezing. Explain that these actions make hands dirty with invisible germs. Emphasize that clean hands help us stay healthy. Go through the hand washing steps using actions and simple words.
What to show or demonstrate: Hold up the “refuse” (crumpled paper/leaves) and pretend to touch it, then pretend to sneeze into a tissue. Then, demonstrate the full hand washing steps using real soap, water, and a basin. Show how to rub palms, back of hands, and between fingers. Use the chart posters to reinforce each step visually.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Clean Hands Song” after explaining the situations for hand washing. Sing it slowly first, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the song several times, encouraging pupils to sing along and perform the actions with enthusiasm.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn about washing hands. Ask pupils to watch carefully for the steps and to sing along if they know the tune. After watching, discuss what they saw and encourage them to mimic the actions from the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand the two main situations for hand washing (refuse, sneezing) and if they can mimic the basic hand washing actions. Correct any misconceptions about when or how to wash hands gently.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Imitation
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in a familiar general hygiene song like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” but adapted to “Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands.” The teacher then asks, “When do we wash our hands?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, sing the song with actions, and offer simple answers like “before eating” or “after toilet.”
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and recall previous knowledge about hand washing.
Step 2: Presentation of Topic
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a picture of refuse and a picture of a child sneezing. The teacher asks, “What is this?” and “What is the child doing?” The teacher then explains that touching refuse or sneezing can put germs on our hands, and today we will learn why and how to wash our hands after these actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the pictures and listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the new situations for hand washing: after touching refuse and after sneezing.
Step 3: Teacher Demonstration of Hand Washing
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses the prepared “refuse” and a tissue. The teacher pretends to touch the refuse, then pretends to sneeze into the tissue. The teacher then demonstrates the full hand washing steps (wet, soap, rub, rinse, dry) using real soap, water, and basin, explaining each step clearly and slowly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully, watching each step of the hand washing process.
Learning Point: Pupils visually learn the correct procedure for hand washing.
Step 4: Guided Practice (Air Washing)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Correction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in “air washing” their hands, guiding them through each step without water. “First, pretend to wet your hands. Now, pretend to take soap. Rub, rub, rub…” The teacher provides positive reinforcement and corrects any incorrect actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mimic the hand washing steps in the air, following the teacher’s instructions.
Learning Point: Pupils physically practise the hand washing movements.
Step 5: Rhyme Reinforcement
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Musical Engagement/Repetition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the “Clean Hands Song” from the Board Summary. The teacher sings the song slowly, demonstrating the actions related to rubbing hands, refuse, and sneezing. The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and do the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the song, sing along, and perform the actions with the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the lesson through a fun, memorable song and actions.
Step 6: Video and Discussion
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Media Integration/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the “Wash Your Hands Song | CoComelon” video. After the video, the teacher asks pupils what they saw and what the children in the video were doing. The teacher encourages them to remember the steps.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, sing along if they know it, and participate in a short discussion about the video content.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of hand washing steps through visual and auditory learning.
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.
- “When should we wash our hands?” (Show picture of refuse and sneezing).
- “What do we need to wash our hands?” (Show soap and water).
- “Show me how you rub your hands when washing.”
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: Recap/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always wash their hands after touching refuse and after sneezing to stay healthy. “Clean hands are happy hands!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat “Clean hands are happy hands!”
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practise the learned habit.
Lesson Keywords
- Refuse – rubbish, dirty things we throw away.
- Sneezing – when air comes out of your nose and mouth very fast.
- Germs – tiny things that can make us sick.
- Soap – what we use to wash our hands clean.
- Water – what we use to wet and rinse our hands.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher can provide more one-on-one guidance during air washing, use hand-over-hand demonstration, or allow them to simply point to the correct pictures for when to wash hands.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can ask them to explain to a friend why it’s important to wash hands or name other times they should wash their hands (e.g., after playing, before eating).
Community Join the conversation Open discussion +