Hand Washing, Method and Benefits for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 6
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Good eating habits
Topic: HAND WASHING: METHOD AND BENEFITS
Subject Matter: HAND WASHING – Benefits of washing our hands regularly. Weekly focus: Hand Washing: Method and Benefits.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the materials needed for hand washing.
• State at least two benefits of washing hands regularly.
• Recall the steps for washing hands cleanly.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of hand washing for good health.
• Develop a positive attitude towards regular hand washing.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the correct steps for washing hands.
• Practise the hand washing motions with or without water.

Social Domain

• Participate actively in group discussions and activities related to hygiene.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

• Running water (from a tap or a jug/basin)
• Bar soap or liquid soap
• Clean towel
• Small basin (if no tap)
• Picture cards showing steps of hand washing
• Chart showing germs and clean hands

Rationale for the Lesson

Teaching hand washing at this age is crucial as it empowers children to take an active role in their personal hygiene and health. Understanding how and why to wash hands helps prevent the spread of germs and illnesses, promoting a healthier school and home environment for 5-year-olds.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have some basic understanding of personal hygiene and have been taught about other good habits like brushing teeth and eating healthy food.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

HAND WASHING: METHOD AND BENEFITS

Hand washing means cleaning our hands with soap and water to remove dirt, germs, and other harmful things.

Materials Needed for Hand Washing

• Water (running water is best)
• Soap (bar soap or liquid soap)
• Clean towel

Steps for Washing Hands Cleanly

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water.
2. Apply soap to your hands.
3. Rub your hands together to make a lather (foam).
4. Scrub all parts of your hands: palms, back of hands, between fingers, and under nails. Do this for at least 20 seconds (sing a short song!).
5. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
6. Dry your hands with a clean towel.

Clean Hands Song

Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Lyrics:

Wash, wash, wash your hands,
Wash them clean and bright.
Rub and scrub with soap and water,
Day and night, day and night.

Germs, germs, go away,
Make our bodies strong.
Wash our hands to keep us healthy,
All day long, all day long.

Actions: Pupils mimic washing hands (wetting, soaping, scrubbing, rinsing, drying) as they sing.

How to use the rhyme: Sing this song while pupils are demonstrating the scrubbing step to ensure they scrub for long enough, and also as a general reminder of the importance of hand washing.

Benefits of Washing Hands Regularly

• It removes dirt and germs from our hands.
• It helps us stay healthy and strong.
• It stops us from getting sick (like cough, cold, or tummy ache).
• It stops us from spreading germs to others.

Key Words

• Hands – The parts of our body we use to touch and hold things.
• Wash – To clean with water and soap.
• Soap – A substance used with water for washing and cleaning.
• Germs – Tiny, tiny things that can make us sick.
• Healthy – Strong and not sick.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Display a chart showing germs (e.g., small, funny-looking dots) and a picture of clean, sparkling hands.
• Have the actual materials (soap, water, towel) ready for demonstration.
• Show pictures illustrating each step of hand washing.

Watch and Practise

The teacher will show a short video demonstrating the correct way to wash hands, and pupils will follow along with the actions.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Demonstration, Guided Practice, Play-based Learning, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Practical Activity, Repetition.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and starts with a simple “Good Morning” song. The teacher then asks pupils what they do to keep themselves clean and healthy (e.g., bathe, brush teeth). The teacher introduces the topic: “Today, we will learn about how to wash our hands properly and why it is important.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, mention various hygiene activities, and listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the lesson’s topic.

Step 2: Identifying Materials for Hand Washing

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Identification/Naming

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the instructional materials (water, soap, towel, basin). The teacher asks, “What do we need to wash our hands?” and prompts pupils to name each item. The teacher reinforces the names of the materials.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and name the materials needed for hand washing (water, soap, towel). They may point to each item as they name it.

Learning Point: Pupils can identify and name the essential materials for hand washing.

Step 3: Teacher Demonstration of Hand Washing Steps

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains and demonstrates each step of hand washing clearly and slowly using actual water, soap, and a towel. The teacher explains why each step is important (e.g., “We rub to make foam and remove germs”). The teacher sings the “Clean Hands Song” during the scrubbing part.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration carefully, listening to the explanations and watching the actions. They may hum along with the song.

Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct method of hand washing.

Step 4: Guided Practice of Hand Washing Motions

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Imitation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher invites pupils to stand up and practise the hand washing motions in the air (without water) as the teacher repeats the steps. The teacher provides verbal cues and encourages all pupils to participate. If facilities allow, a few pupils can take turns to practice with water under close supervision.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imitate the hand washing motions (wet, soap, rub, scrub, rinse, dry) in the air. A few pupils may get a chance to wash their hands with water.

Learning Point: Pupils practise the physical steps of hand washing.

Step 5: Reinforcement with Video and Song

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visual Reinforcement/Auditory Learning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the short educational video on hand washing and encourages pupils to sing along or mimic the actions shown in the video. The teacher then leads the class in singing the “Clean Hands Song” again.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, sing along, and perform the hand washing actions. They sing the “Clean Hands Song” with enthusiasm.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of hand washing through visual and auditory aids.

Step 6: Discussing the Benefits of Hand Washing

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “Why is it important to wash our hands?” and guides pupils to state the benefits. The teacher lists the benefits on the board or refers to a chart. The teacher emphasizes that washing hands keeps us healthy and stops germs from spreading.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils offer reasons why hand washing is important. They listen and repeat the benefits stated by the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance and benefits of regular hand washing.

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. “What three things do we need to wash our hands?” (Show pictures if needed)
2. “Show me how you would rub your hands with soap.”
3. “Tell me one reason why we should wash our hands.”

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 participation and reminds them to always wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet, and when their hands are dirty. The teacher ends the lesson with a final chorus of the “Clean Hands Song.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the reminder and sing the song one last time.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practice hand washing regularly.

Lesson Keywords

• Hands – The parts of our body we use for touching.
• Wash – To clean something with water and soap.
• Soap – What we use with water to get our hands clean.
• Germs – Tiny, invisible things that can make us sick.
• Healthy – Feeling good and not sick.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle to remember the steps, provide larger picture cards of each step to sequence. Use hand-over-hand guidance during air washing practice. Focus on identifying just two key materials and one main benefit.
• Extension: Encourage quicker learners to explain *why* each step of hand washing is important (e.g., “Why do we rub between our fingers?”). Ask them to name other times when they should wash their hands (e.g., after playing outside).

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure all materials (water, soap, clean towel, basin if needed, picture cards, chart) are readily available and set up for easy demonstration. The key idea children must grasp is that hand washing involves soap and water, scrubbing all parts of the hands, and that it keeps them healthy. When demonstrating, exaggerate the motions and count aloud during the scrubbing phase to model the 20-second duration. For pupil practice, prioritize air washing for all children to get the muscle memory, and only allow a few children to use actual water if facilities and time permit, ensuring close supervision. Observe if pupils can identify the materials and demonstrate the scrubbing action as observable actions showing understanding. Repeat the “Clean Hands Song” throughout the day or week to reinforce the habit.