Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare picture cards or posters showing children demonstrating various good manners (e.g., saying ‘please’, ‘thank you’, sharing, greeting). The central idea for pupils is to understand that good manners are kind actions and words, and they should be able to state and demonstrate simple examples. Successful learning will be observed when pupils actively participate in discussions, sing the rhyme, and role-play polite interactions using appropriate words and actions.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 4
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Social Habits
Curriculum Theme: Social Habits
Previous Lesson: Identifying family members and their roles
Topic: GOOD MANNERS
Subject Matter: Meaning and examples of good manners.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Define good manners in simple terms.
- State at least three examples of good manners.
- Identify good manners from pictures or real-life scenarios.
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to use polite words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
- Appreciate the importance of being polite and kind to others.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate simple good manners through role-play (e.g., greeting, sharing).
- Perform actions related to the “Good Manners” rhyme.
Social Domain
- Participate in group discussions about good manners.
- Interact politely with peers and the teacher during activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- Relevant early-years social habits workbooks
Instructional Materials
- Chart showing children demonstrating good manners
- Posters with polite words (e.g., “Please,” “Thank You,” “Excuse Me”)
- Picture cards depicting various social situations
- Puppets or dolls for role-playing
- Audio player for songs
- Video display for educational video
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it introduces them to fundamental social skills that promote positive interactions with others. Learning good manners at an early age helps children develop respect, empathy, and confidence, preparing them for harmonious relationships at home, school, and in the wider community.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already greet people, recognise familiar faces, and participate in simple group activities.Lesson Content/Board Summary
GOOD MANNERS
Good manners mean being kind and polite to people. It means using nice words and doing good things that make others feel happy and respected.Examples of Good Manners:
- Saying “Please” when you ask for something.
- Saying “Thank you” when you receive something.
- Saying “Excuse me” when you want to pass or interrupt.
- Saying “Sorry” when you make a mistake.
- Greeting people (e.g., “Good morning,” “Good afternoon”).
- Sharing toys and snacks with friends.
- Listening when someone is talking.
- Helping others.
Good Manners Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Please and Thank You, always say,
Every single happy day.
Excuse Me, Sorry, too, you see,
Good manners make us happy, free.
Sharing toys and helping friends,
Good manners never, ever end!
Actions:
- “Please and Thank You”: Put hands together as if praying.
- “Every single happy day”: Smile and clap.
- “Excuse Me, Sorry”: Make a small bow.
- “Good manners make us happy, free”: Hug self.
- “Sharing toys”: Pretend to share a toy.
- “Helping friends”: Pretend to help someone.
- “Good manners never, ever end”: Wave hands.
Watch and Practise
Key Words
- Manners – how we behave and act towards others.
- Polite – being kind and showing respect.
- Please – a word we say when we ask for something.
- Thank you – a word we say when we get something.
- Sharing – letting others use or have something with you.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Start by asking pupils what it means to be kind. Introduce “good manners” as kind words and actions. Use the chart and posters to show examples. Discuss each example, asking pupils if they have used these words or actions before.
What to show or demonstrate: Point to pictures on the chart. Demonstrate saying “Please” when asking for a pencil, “Thank you” when receiving it, and “Excuse me” when walking past someone. Use puppets for simple role-play scenarios.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Good Manners Rhyme” after discussing examples. Sing it slowly first, demonstrating the actions. Repeat several times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. Make it fun and interactive.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see and hear more about good manners. Play the video once. After watching, ask pupils what good manners they saw in the video and encourage them to practise saying the polite words they heard.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand the meaning of the polite words and if they can demonstrate the actions. Correct pronunciation gently and encourage all pupils to participate.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Role-play
- Imitation
- Video Presentation
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and asks them about a time someone was kind to them. The teacher then introduces the topic: “Today, we will learn about good manners, which are kind words and actions.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s greeting and share short experiences of kindness. They listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the concept of kindness and good manners.
Step 2: Meaning of Good Manners
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Building
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains in simple terms that “Good manners mean being kind and polite to people. It means using nice words and doing good things.” The teacher uses a chart or pictures to illustrate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and look at the pictures on the chart. They repeat “Good manners are kind actions and words.”
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic meaning of good manners.
Step 3: Examples of Good Manners (Oral Discussion)
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows posters or picture cards of children saying “Please,” “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” sharing, and greeting. For each picture, the teacher asks, “What is happening here? Is this good manners?” and guides pupils to state the examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures, answer the teacher’s questions, and state examples of good manners they see. They repeat the polite words.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and state various examples of good manners.
Step 4: Rhyme/Song on Good Manners
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Auditory Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the “Good Manners Rhyme” and sings it, demonstrating the actions. The teacher encourages pupils to sing along and perform the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the rhyme, try to sing along, and imitate the teacher’s actions.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of good manners through song and movement.
Step 5: Demonstration of Good Manners (Video)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Learning/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays a short educational video on good manners. After the video, the teacher asks pupils what polite words or actions they saw.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video attentively. After watching, they mention some good manners they observed in the video.
Learning Point: Pupils observe and learn from visual examples of good manners.
Step 6: Guided Practice/Pupil Demonstration
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Application/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher sets up simple role-play scenarios (e.g., asking for a toy, receiving a snack, bumping into someone) and guides pupils to demonstrate good manners using the correct words and actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns participating in the role-play, practicing saying “Please,” “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” and “Sorry.”
Learning Point: Pupils actively practice and demonstrate good manners.
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.
- What are good manners?
- Say “Please” like you are asking for a biscuit.
- Say “Thank you” like you just got a sweet.
- Show me how you share a toy with a friend.
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: Summary/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always use good manners at home and at school. “Always remember to be kind and polite!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat the reminder to use good manners.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to apply good manners in their daily lives.
Lesson Keywords
- Manners – how we behave and act towards others.
- Polite – being kind and showing respect.
- Please – a word we say when we ask for something.
- Thank you – a word we say when we get something.
- Sharing – letting others use or have something with you.
- Sorry – a word we say when we make a mistake.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide more one-on-one demonstration and repetition of specific polite words. Use larger picture cards and allow them to point to answers. Pair them with a peer who can model the behaviour.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, encourage them to think of other situations where good manners are needed (e.g., listening to parents, helping a younger sibling). Ask them to create a short, simple sentence using a polite word.
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