Meaning of Food and Why People Eat for Pre-School Level 4

Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: Second Term
Week: 2
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Basic Science and Technology
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Pupils have learned about different things around them.
Topic: FOOD: Meaning and Why People Eat
Subject Matter: FOOD: Definition and Why people eat. Weekly focus: Food: Meaning and Why People Eat.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• State a simple meaning of food.
• Mention at least two reasons why people eat food.
• Identify pictures of different food items.

Affective Domain

• Participate actively in a song about food.
• Show appreciation for healthy food.

Psychomotor Domain

• Point to various food items on charts or posters.
• Demonstrate actions related to eating and playing.

Social Domain

• Share ideas with classmates about their favourite foods.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4.
• Early Childhood Care and Education resources.
• Relevant early-years Basic Science and Technology workbook.

Instructional Materials

• Posters with samples of food (e.g., rice, yam, beans, fruits, vegetables).
• Charts showing children eating and playing.
• Real food items (e.g., an apple, a banana, a small yam piece – for demonstration only).
• Video clips on why people eat food.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces young children to the fundamental concept of food and its importance for their bodies. Understanding why they eat helps pupils make healthier choices and appreciate the role of food in their growth, energy, and overall well-being.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with different types of food they see and eat at home and school. They know that they eat every day.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

FOOD: Meaning and Why People Eat

What is Food?

Food is anything we eat to help our bodies grow, get strong, and stay healthy. It gives us energy to play and learn.

Why Do We Eat Food?

1. To Get Energy: Food gives us power to run, jump, play, and think in school. Without food, we feel weak.
2. To Grow Big and Strong: Eating food helps our bones and muscles grow. It makes us taller and stronger.
3. To Stay Healthy: Food protects us from getting sick. It helps our bodies fight germs and makes us feel good.
4. To Repair Our Bodies: If we get a small cut or bruise, food helps our body heal and get better.

Key Words

• Food – Anything we eat.
• Energy – Power to do things.
• Grow – To get bigger and taller.
• Healthy – To be strong and not sick.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

• Display posters and charts of various food items (e.g., rice, yam, fruits, vegetables, meat).
• Show real food items like an apple, banana, or a piece of yam.
• Draw a simple picture of a child playing (showing energy) and a child growing taller.

Our Food Song

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Food, oh food, we love to eat,
Makes our bodies strong and sweet.
Gives us energy to play,
Helps us grow up every day.
Food, oh food, so good for me,
Healthy, happy we will be!

Actions: Clap hands for “Food, oh food”, flex muscles for “strong”, pretend to run for “energy to play”, stretch arms up for “grow up”, hug self for “healthy, happy”.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the song with actions to introduce the lesson and reinforce the reasons why we eat food.

Watch and Learn About Food

Let’s watch a short video to see more about why we need to eat food.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh3K00_9084

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging, Song Integration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in singing the “Our Food Song” to introduce the topic of food.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher and enthusiastically sing the “Our Food Song” with actions.

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

Step 2: Meaning of Food

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation, Visual Aids

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “What is food?” and then gives a simple meaning of food, showing real food items or pictures. “Food is anything we eat to help our bodies grow, get strong, and stay healthy.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, point to the food items shown, and repeat the simple meaning of food after the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils understand a basic definition of food.

Step 3: Why We Eat Food (Energy)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration, Questioning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks, “Why do we eat food?” and explains the first reason: “Food gives us energy to play.” The teacher demonstrates running or jumping and asks pupils what gives them power to do that. The teacher shows charts of children playing.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions, imitate the running/jumping action, and identify children playing in the charts.

Learning Point: Pupils understand that food provides energy for activities.

Step 4: Why We Eat Food (Growth and Health)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation, Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains other reasons: “Food helps us grow big and strong, and it keeps us healthy so we don’t get sick.” The teacher asks pupils how they know they are growing (e.g., clothes getting smaller).

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, share simple observations about their own growth, and repeat the reasons for eating food.

Learning Point: Pupils learn that food aids growth and maintains health.

Step 5: Video Reinforcement

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Media Integration, Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the video, “Now let’s watch a short video that tells us more about why we eat food.” The teacher plays the verified YouTube video.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and listen to the explanations about food and its benefits.

Learning Point: Visual reinforcement of the lesson concepts.

Step 6: Guided Practice and Discussion

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitation, Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to mention some of the reasons why they eat food, encouraging everyone to share at least one reason. The teacher guides them to use the key words: energy, grow, healthy.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns mentioning reasons why they eat food, using simple sentences and the key words.

Learning Point: Pupils articulate the reasons for eating food.

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 is food? (Pupils give a simple meaning).
2. Point to a food item on the chart/poster.
3. Tell me one reason why you eat food.
4. What does food give you to play? (Energy).

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: Summarising, Assigning

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always eat healthy food. The teacher tells them to tell their parents one reason why they eat food when they get home.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond “Thank you, teacher” and promise to eat healthy food and tell their parents.

Learning Point: Pupils consolidate learning and are encouraged to apply it.

Lesson Keywords

• Food – Anything we eat to help our bodies.
• Eat – To put food into our mouths and swallow it.
• Energy – The power we need to do things like play and learn.
• Grow – To get bigger and taller as we get older.
• Healthy – Being strong and not getting sick easily.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher will use more visual aids (real food items, large pictures), provide hand-over-hand pointing to food items, and prompt with sentence starters like “I eat food to…”
• Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can ask them to name different types of food (e.g., fruits, vegetables) or ask them to explain another benefit of food not explicitly covered, such as “What happens if we don’t eat food?”

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have a variety of colourful food posters/charts and, if possible, a few real, safe food items (like an apple or banana) to make the lesson concrete. The main idea children must understand is that food is essential for them to grow, have energy, and stay healthy. Encourage active participation through questions, actions, and the song. Observe pupils’ ability to point to food items and verbally state at least one reason for eating. Repeat the song several times throughout the lesson to reinforce the message. Pay attention to shy pupils and gently encourage them to participate by asking simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions or asking them to point.