Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, gather clear, colourful pictures or real samples of common Nigerian foods like pounded yam, amala, rice, and beans. The central idea is for pupils to recognise and name these foods. Ensure all food items or pictures are clean and safe for young children to handle or view. Observe if pupils can point to and attempt to name at least two Nigerian foods by the end of the lesson.
Class: Pre-School Level 1
Term: Third Term
Week: 3
Age: 2 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Learning about family members and their roles.
Topic: FOODS IN NIGERIA
Subject Matter: Identifying Nigerian Foods and Favourite Local Foods
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify pictures of common Nigerian foods (e.g., pounded yam, amala, rice) when named by the teacher.
Affective Domain
- Show interest in learning about different foods.
- Express enjoyment when talking about their favourite local foods.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to pictures of Nigerian foods as requested by the teacher.
Social Domain
- Participate in group activities by repeating food names after the teacher.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 1
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Charts with pictures of Nigerian foods (e.g., pounded yam, amala, rice, beans, garri, moi-moi, akara)
- Real food samples (e.g., a small plate of cooked rice, beans, or a piece of yam, if available and safe)
- Video clips on Nigerian foods for children
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 2-year-olds connect with their everyday environment by recognising familiar foods they eat at home. It introduces them to basic vocabulary related to nutrition and encourages healthy eating habits from an early age, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural awareness.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify common objects around them and can say a few familiar words. They have seen and eaten various foods at home.Lesson Content/Board Summary
FOODS IN NIGERIA; Identifying Nigerian Foods and Favourite Local Foods
Meaning of Food
Food helps us grow big and strong. Food gives us energy to play and learn. We eat food every day to be healthy.Examples of Nigerian Foods
- Pounded Yam (We call it “Iyan” sometimes!)
- Amala
- Rice
- Beans
- Garri
- Akara
- Moi-moi
My Favourite Local Food
Everyone has a favourite food! We can point to our favourite food from the pictures.Yummy Food Song
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Lyrics:
Yummy, yummy, Nigerian food,
Helps us grow strong, makes us good.
Pounded yam and Amala,
Rice and beans, ha ha ha!
Yummy, yummy, Nigerian food,
Helps us grow strong, makes us good.
Actions: Clap hands for “yummy, yummy”, make muscles for “strong”, point to tummy for “food”, point to pictures of foods as they are named.
Watch and Learn About Nigerian Foods
Key Words
- Food – What we eat to grow.
- Yam – A type of food, like pounded yam.
- Amala – A type of food, usually brown.
- Rice – Small white grains we cook and eat.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Start by asking pupils what they ate for breakfast. Introduce the idea that food makes us strong. Use large, clear pictures or real food items to show each Nigerian food. Name each food clearly and slowly, encouraging pupils to repeat after you. Emphasize “Pounded Yam” (Iyan) and “Amala” as mentioned in the curriculum. Ask simple questions like “What is this?” or “Do you like this food?”
What to show or demonstrate: Hold up pictures of each food one at a time. Point to the food on the chart. If using real food items, allow pupils to look at them (but not touch unless it’s safe and hygienic, e.g., pre-packaged). Demonstrate the actions for the song.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Yummy Food Song” several times, encouraging pupils to join in with the actions and repeat the food names. Make it fun and energetic.
How to use the video: Introduce the video by saying, “Let’s watch a video about more yummy Nigerian foods!” Play the video. After watching, pause and ask pupils to point to any foods they recognise from the video or repeat names they heard. You can replay parts of the video if pupils are engaged.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are able to point to the correct food when named, and if they attempt to repeat the names. Look for engagement during the song and video.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Repetition, Question and Answer, Manipulation of Objects (pictures/real foods).Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, sings a short “Good Morning” song, and asks, “What did you eat for breakfast today?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond with simple words or gestures, or listen to other pupils’ responses.
Learning Point: Pupils recall familiar foods and engage with the teacher.
Step 2: Meaning of Food
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains simply, “Food helps us grow big and strong! Food gives us energy to play.” The teacher shows a picture of a healthy, strong child and points to their muscles.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, look at the picture, and may try to show their muscles.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that food is important for growth and energy.
Step 3: Identifying Nigerian Foods (Teacher-led)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Naming/Association
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher holds up large pictures (or real samples) of Nigerian foods like Pounded Yam (“Iyan”), Amala, Rice, Beans, Garri, Akara, Moi-moi. The teacher names each food clearly and slowly, e.g., “This is Pounded Yam. Iyan!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures/foods and listen to the names.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to associate the visual image of the food with its name.
Step 4: Guided Practice (Repeating Names)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Repetition/Oral Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows the pictures again, one by one, and encourages pupils to repeat the names after her. “Say ‘Pounded Yam’!” “Say ‘Amala’!” The teacher praises their efforts.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the names of the foods after the teacher, practicing pronunciation.
Learning Point: Pupils practice saying the names of Nigerian foods.
Step 5: Guided Practice (Pointing to Favourites)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Preference
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher spreads out the food pictures and asks, “Which one is your favourite food? Point to your favourite!” The teacher helps pupils point if needed.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils point to their favourite food from the pictures.
Learning Point: Pupils identify their personal preferences and reinforce food recognition.
Step 6: Reinforcement (Song and Video)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Sensory Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in singing the “Yummy Food Song” with actions. Then, the teacher plays the short video clip about Nigerian foods, encouraging pupils to watch and listen.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing along with actions and watch the video, pointing to foods they recognise.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce learning through song, movement, and visual media.
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 is this food?” (holding up a picture of Rice)
- “Point to Amala.” (from a selection of pictures)
- “What helps us grow big and strong?”
- “Say ‘Pounded Yam’!”
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/Praise
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their participation and reminds them that eating good food helps them stay healthy. “Good job, everyone! Keep eating your yummy Nigerian food!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and clap for themselves.
Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and remember the importance of food.
Lesson Keywords
- Food – What we eat to grow.
- Yam – A root vegetable, often pounded.
- Amala – A popular Nigerian swallow food.
- Rice – A grain that is cooked and eaten.
- Beans – Small seeds we cook and eat.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult, the teacher can use fewer food pictures at a time, repeat names more frequently, or provide hand-over-hand guidance to point to foods. Focus on just two main foods (e.g., Pounded Yam and Rice) for initial recognition.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, the teacher can introduce one or two more Nigerian food names, ask them to identify foods without the teacher naming them first, or ask them to say a short sentence like “I like rice.”
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