Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Third Term
Week: 7
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Personal Development
Previous Lesson: Showing Respect to Elders
Topic: ETIQUETTE: MINDING YOUR LANGUAGE
Subject Matter: Meaning of etiquette and minding your language.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Define etiquette in simple terms.
Identify examples of polite words.
Recognise examples of language to avoid.

Affective Domain

Appreciate the importance of using polite language.
Understand that kind words make others feel happy.

Psychomotor Domain

Demonstrate the use of polite words like “please” and “thank you” in simple scenarios.
Use an appropriate tone of voice when speaking.

Participate in role-play activities using polite language.
Interact respectfully with peers and adults.

Reference Materials

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

Instructional Materials

Charts showing children speaking politely and rudely
Picture cards depicting various social situations
Video on good manners and polite words

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 5-year-olds as it introduces them to the fundamental concept of etiquette and the power of language. Learning to mind their language helps children develop positive social skills, show respect to others, and build harmonious relationships within their school and home environments.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can already greet adults, ask for things using simple words, and understand basic instructions about good behaviour.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

ETIQUETTE: MINDING YOUR LANGUAGE

What is Etiquette?

Etiquette means good manners. It is the polite way we behave and speak to others. When we have good etiquette, we show respect and kindness.

Minding Your Language

Minding your language means choosing to use kind, polite words and avoiding rude, insulting, or angry words. It means speaking softly and respectfully, not shouting or yelling.

Examples of Polite Words (Magic Words):

Please: Use when you ask for something. (e.g., “Please give me the crayon.”)
Thank You: Use when someone gives you something or helps you. (e.g., “Thank you for the book.”)
Excuse Me: Use when you want to pass someone, interrupt politely, or accidentally bump into someone. (e.g., “Excuse me, may I pass?”)
Sorry: Use when you have made a mistake or hurt someone. (e.g., “I am sorry I bumped you.”)
May I?: Use when you want permission to do something. (e.g., “May I play with the ball?”)

Language to Avoid (Not Good Words):

Shouting or yelling.
Using rude words or name-calling.
Speaking angrily or disrespectfully.

These words can make others feel sad or angry. Good children always use kind words.

Key Words

Etiquette – Good manners, polite ways of behaving and speaking.
Polite – Showing good manners and respect for others.
Kind – Friendly, generous, and considerate.
Rude – Impolite or disrespectful.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

The teacher should display charts showing pictures of children:

Asking for a toy politely (“Please”).
Receiving a gift and saying “Thank You.”
Accidentally bumping into someone and saying “Sorry” or “Excuse Me.”
Contrasting with pictures of children shouting or looking angry.

Kind Words Rhyme

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Kind words, kind words, we love to say,
Every single day!
“Please” and “Thank You,” “Sorry” too,
Make friends happy, me and you!
Kind words, kind words, gentle and clear,
Always nice for all to hear!

Actions:

Point to mouth when singing “Kind words.”
Clap hands when singing “Every single day!”
Make a pleading gesture for “Please.”
Nod head for “Thank You.”
Put hands together for “Sorry.”
Point to self and then to others for “me and you!”

How to use the rhyme: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the rhyme with actions to reinforce the importance and examples of polite words.

Watch and Practise

The teacher will show a short educational video about using polite words to further illustrate the lesson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_g2s7fG97A

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly. The teacher asks pupils what they remember about showing respect to elders (previous lesson). Then, the teacher introduces the new topic by asking, “Do you know what makes a good child? It’s how we behave and how we speak!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and share what they remember about respect. They listen attentively to the introduction.

Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the new topic.

Step 2: Explanation of Etiquette

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains “etiquette” in simple terms, using examples. “Etiquette means good manners. It’s the polite way we behave and speak. For example, when you say ‘Good morning, ma!’ to your teacher, that’s good etiquette!” The teacher shows pictures of polite children from the chart.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and observe the pictures. They may repeat the word “etiquette” after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the simple meaning of etiquette.

Step 3: Discussing Good Language (Magic Words)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Repetition

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces “magic words” or polite words. “When we mind our language, we use kind words like ‘Please,’ ‘Thank You,’ ‘Excuse Me,’ and ‘Sorry.'” The teacher demonstrates how to say each word politely and gives a simple scenario for each. Pupils repeat the words.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, repeat the polite words, and observe the teacher’s demonstration.

Learning Point: Pupils learn and practise saying polite words.

Step 4: Discussing Bad Language to Avoid

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Clarification/Guidance

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what kind of language to avoid. “Sometimes, children might shout, use rude words, or call names. Is that good etiquette? No! Those words make others sad or angry. Good children always use kind words and speak gently.” The teacher shows pictures of children shouting or looking angry on the chart.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the bad language and understand why it should be avoided. They shake their heads to indicate “no” for bad behaviour.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the difference between polite and impolite language.

Step 5: Role-Play/Practical Application

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher sets up simple role-play scenarios.

“You want a toy from your friend. What do you say?”
“Someone gives you a biscuit. What do you say?”
“You accidentally step on your friend’s foot. What do you say?”

The teacher guides pupils to use the correct polite words and appropriate tone.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the role-play, demonstrating the use of polite words in different situations.

Learning Point: Pupils apply polite language in practical scenarios.

Step 6: Rhyme and Video Reinforcement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Kind Words Rhyme” with actions. Afterwards, the teacher shows the short video on polite words to reinforce the lesson visually and audibly.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video attentively, repeating any polite words they hear.

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their learning through song and visual media.

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 is etiquette? (Good manners/polite behaviour)
Name one polite word we should always use. (Please/Thank You/Sorry/Excuse Me/May I?)
Show me how you would ask for a pencil politely. (Pupil demonstrates “Please give me a pencil.”)
What kind of words should we not use? (Rude words, shouting, name-calling)

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 use their “magic words” and mind their language at home and at school. “Always be a good child by using kind words!”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and promise to use kind words.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practise good etiquette daily.

Lesson Keywords

Etiquette – Good manners and polite ways of behaving and speaking.
Polite – Showing good manners and respect.
Kind words – Friendly and respectful language.
Minding your language – Choosing to use polite words and avoiding rude ones.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher will provide more one-on-one modelling, use larger picture cards, and encourage them to just repeat one or two polite words. They can be paired with a more confident peer during role-play.
Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can ask them to create a short sentence using a polite word, or identify more situations where polite words are needed (e.g., at the market, visiting a neighbour).

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure charts and picture cards are prepared and visible. Test the video link to ensure it plays smoothly. Emphasise that “minding your language” is not just about the words themselves, but also the tone of voice. Encourage pupils to speak gently and respectfully. During role-play, keep scenarios simple and relatable to their daily lives. Observe closely how pupils interact and provide immediate, positive feedback for correct usage of polite words. For shy children, encourage participation by asking them to point to pictures or whisper a polite word to you. Reinforce the lesson throughout the day by praising pupils who use polite language naturally.