Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare a calm, quiet space in the classroom where pupils can safely practice resting. Gather picture cards showing children resting or sleeping, and have a soft blanket or mat ready. The central idea for pupils is that resting helps their bodies become strong and healthy, and they should be able to demonstrate simple resting actions like lying down quietly.
Class: Pre-School Level 1
Term: Third Term
Week: 10
Age: 2 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Health Habits
Curriculum Theme: Health Habits
Previous Lesson: Washing Hands Properly
Topic: REST
Subject Matter: Meaning of Rest, How to Rest, Sleep Times
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify that rest means stopping activity to make the body strong.
- Name one time to rest at school (naptime).
- Name one time to rest at home (bedtime).
Affective Domain
- Show appreciation for the importance of resting to stay healthy.
- Listen quietly during rest activities.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate simple actions of resting, such as lying down and closing eyes.
Social Domain
- Participate calmly in group rest activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 1
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Charts and posters showing children resting or sleeping
- Picture cards of children napping and sleeping in bed
- A soft mat or blanket
- A small pillow (optional, for demonstration)
- Video clip on resting/sleeping for toddlers
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 2-year-olds because understanding rest helps them develop healthy habits for their growing bodies. Learning about rest teaches them to listen to their bodies when they are tired and helps them understand why naptime and bedtime are necessary for their well-being and energy.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils know that they play and move a lot, and sometimes their bodies feel tired.Lesson Content/Board Summary
REST
Rest means stopping playing and moving so our bodies can get strong again. When we rest, our bodies take a break.How to Rest
- Lie down quietly.
- Close our eyes.
- Be still and calm.
Times to Rest/Sleep
- At School: Naptime (usually after lunch)
- At Home: Bedtime (at night, before the moon comes out)
Why Rest is Important
- Rest makes our bodies strong.
- Rest gives us energy to play and learn.
- Rest makes us healthy.
Key Words
- Rest – to stop playing and be still.
- Sleep – to close eyes and rest for a long time.
- Tired – when our body feels like it needs to rest.
- Strong – what our body becomes after resting.
Rest Time Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Time to rest, time to rest,
Put our busy bodies down.
Close our eyes, take a nap,
Quietly, no sound.
Resting makes us strong and well,
Time to rest, time to rest.
Actions: Gently lie down, close eyes, put finger to lips for “no sound,” make muscles strong for “strong and well.”
Watch and Practise
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Explain “rest” using simple words and actions. Ask pupils to show you when their bodies feel tired. Use the charts and picture cards to illustrate children resting at school and home. Emphasize that rest makes them strong for more play.
What to show or demonstrate: Show pictures of children lying down quietly. Demonstrate how to lie down on a mat, close eyes, and be still. Encourage pupils to imitate your actions.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Rest Time Rhyme” slowly and clearly, demonstrating the actions. Repeat it several times, encouraging pupils to join in with the actions and simple words. Use it to transition into a calm activity.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn about rest. Play the “Rest Time Song” video. After watching, discuss what they saw and encourage them to practice the gentle resting movements shown in the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils can follow simple instructions to lie down and be quiet. Watch for those who might struggle to stay still and gently guide them. Reinforce the idea that rest is good for their bodies.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Imitation, Practical Activity.Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in a short, active song like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” After the song, the teacher asks, “Did that make our bodies a little tired? Sometimes our bodies need to rest.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, sing and perform actions for the song, and nod or respond to feeling tired.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the concept of feeling tired.
Step 2: Meaning of Rest
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains simply, “Rest means we stop playing and lie down so our bodies can get strong again.” The teacher shows a chart or picture of a child resting. “See? Our body takes a break.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures and listen to the explanation. They might point to the child resting.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that rest is stopping activity to regain strength.
Step 3: How to Rest
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to rest: “First, we lie down quietly (teacher lies on a mat). Then, we close our eyes (teacher closes eyes). And we stay very still (teacher is still).” The teacher invites pupils to try. “Can you lie down quietly like me?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imitate the teacher, lying down on their mats or in their space, closing their eyes, and trying to be still.
Learning Point: Pupils learn and practice the physical actions of resting.
Step 4: Times to Rest/Sleep
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Picture Talk/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows picture cards of children napping at school and sleeping in bed at home. “When do we rest at school? (Naptime!) When do we sleep at home? (Bedtime, at night!)” The teacher reiterates the times for rest.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify naptime and bedtime from the pictures and repeat the names of the times to rest.
Learning Point: Pupils identify specific times for resting at school and home.
Step 5: Importance of Rest (Rhyme Integration)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Song
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains, “Rest makes our bodies strong and gives us energy to play!” The teacher then leads pupils in singing the “Rest Time Rhyme” with actions, emphasizing the line “Resting makes us strong and well.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, sing along with the rhyme, and perform the actions, understanding that rest makes them strong.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that rest helps them stay strong and healthy.
Step 6: Video & Practice
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Media Integration/Imitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the video, “Let’s watch a video about rest time!” The teacher plays the “Rest Time Song” video and encourages pupils to watch and gently imitate the resting actions shown.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and try to follow along with the gentle resting movements.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of rest through visual and auditory cues.
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.
- “Show me how you rest.”
- “When do we rest at school?” (Teacher points to a naptime picture.)
- “Does rest make your body strong or weak?”
- “What do we do with our eyes when we rest?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Recap/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for participating and reminds them, “Remember, resting is very good for your bodies. It makes you strong to play and learn!” The teacher encourages them to rest well at naptime and bedtime.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and acknowledge the importance of resting.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practice good rest habits.
Lesson Keywords
- Rest – to stop playing and be still.
- Sleep – to close eyes and rest for a long time.
- Tired – when our body feels like it needs to rest.
- Strong – what our body becomes after resting.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle to lie still, the teacher can provide gentle physical guidance, use a comforting tone, or allow them to sit quietly with their eyes closed if lying down is too difficult. Repeat instructions and demonstrations frequently.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the concept, the teacher can ask them to identify other quiet activities that help their bodies rest, like looking at a book quietly or listening to soft music.
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