Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare a variety of materials such as paper, crayons, playdough, and simple puppets or props for drama. The central idea for pupils is that they have many safe and creative ways to show what they are thinking or feeling inside. Observe pupils actively engaging in drawing, moulding, speaking, or acting to express themselves.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 5
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Civic Education
Curriculum Theme: Civic Education
Previous Lesson: Identifying and Naming Basic Emotions (Happy, Sad, Angry)
Topic: SELF EXPRESSION
Subject Matter: Meaning of self-expression and ways to express yourself.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- State a simple meaning of self-expression.
- Identify at least three ways to express themselves.
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to express their feelings and ideas.
- Appreciate that it is good to share their thoughts and feelings.
Psychomotor Domain
- Draw a picture that shows a feeling or idea.
- Mould a simple shape to represent an emotion.
- Participate in a simple drama activity to express themselves.
Social Domain
- Take turns and listen when others are expressing themselves.
- Participate actively in group expression activities.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- Relevant Early Years Civic Education workbooks
Instructional Materials
- Chart showing different ways to express feelings (e.g., drawing, talking, acting)
- Posters with pictures of children expressing various emotions
- Plain paper
- Crayons or coloured pencils
- Playdough or soft clay
- Puppets or simple dress-up items for drama
- Audio player for songs (optional)
- Video player/screen for educational video
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it teaches them healthy and creative ways to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Learning self-expression helps children develop their social-emotional skills, build confidence, and understand that their voices and ideas matter. It also helps them avoid frustration when they can express themselves clearly.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can already identify and name basic emotions like happy, sad, or angry. They can also communicate their basic needs and wants to adults.Lesson Content/Board Summary
SELF EXPRESSION
Self-expression means showing what you think or feel inside, using different ways.
Ways to Express Yourself
- Speaking: You can talk about what you think or how you feel. You can also sing a song.
- Drawing: You can draw pictures with crayons and paper to show your ideas or feelings.
- Moulding: You can use playdough or clay to make shapes that show how you feel.
- Writing/Scribbling: You can make marks or draw letters on paper to share your thoughts.
- Drama/Acting: You can use your body, face, and voice to act out a story or a feeling.
Key Words
- Self-expression – showing what you think or feel.
- Feelings – what is inside you, like happy or sad.
- Thoughts – what you are thinking in your head.
- Draw – to make pictures with crayons.
- Mould – to shape playdough or clay.
- Act – to pretend or show with your body.
My Feelings Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
I have feelings, big and small,
I can show them to you all.
I can draw a happy face,
Or mould a smile in this place.
I can talk and tell you true,
All the feelings inside me too!
Actions: Point to self, make big and small gestures, draw in air, mould with hands, point to mouth, hug self.
Watch and Learn About Feelings
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce “Self-expression” by asking pupils how they show if they are happy or sad. Explain simply that it means showing what’s inside them. Go through each way of expression, giving simple examples.
What to show or demonstrate: Use the chart to point to different ways of expressing. Demonstrate drawing a simple happy/sad face. Show how to roll and shape playdough. Model simple actions for drama (e.g., acting sleepy, excited). Encourage pupils to make marks or draw simple shapes on paper.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “My Feelings Rhyme” and sing it slowly with actions. Repeat it a few times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to learn more about feelings and how to show them. After watching, discuss what they saw and ask pupils to name some feelings and ways to express them from the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are comfortable trying different ways to express themselves. Ensure they understand that all feelings are okay, and there are good ways to show them.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, Imitation, Manipulation of Objects, Practical Activity.Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets pupils and sings a short “Hello” song. The teacher asks pupils how they are feeling today (e.g., “Are you happy? Are you sleepy?”).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the greeting and share their feelings (e.g., “I am happy!”).
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and recall basic emotions.
Step 2: Meaning of Self-Expression
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Building
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the topic “Self-Expression” and explains its simple meaning: “Self-expression means showing what you think or feel inside.” The teacher uses a chart with pictures of children showing different feelings.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, look at the chart, and repeat “Self-expression” after the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic meaning of self-expression.
Step 3: Ways to Express – Speaking and Drawing
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to express feelings by speaking (e.g., “I am happy!”) and by drawing a simple happy or sad face on paper. The teacher provides paper and crayons.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils practice saying how they feel and draw a picture showing their current feeling or an idea.
Learning Point: Pupils practice expressing themselves through speaking and drawing.
Step 4: Ways to Express – Moulding and Writing
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Activity
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to use playdough to mould a shape that represents a feeling (e.g., a round, smooth ball for calm; a squiggly shape for excited). The teacher also encourages pupils to make marks or “write” their thoughts on paper.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils use playdough to mould shapes and make marks on paper, showing their ideas or feelings.
Learning Point: Pupils explore self-expression through moulding and simple writing.
Step 5: Ways to Express – Drama/Acting
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Role-play/Imitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates simple drama by acting out a feeling (e.g., pretending to be sleepy, excited, or surprised). The teacher encourages pupils to imitate or act out a simple feeling using their bodies and faces.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imitate the teacher or act out a feeling (e.g., jumping for joy, frowning for sadness).
Learning Point: Pupils learn to express themselves through body language and acting.
Step 6: Reinforcement (Video and Rhyme)
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Visual Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the educational video about expressing feelings. After the video, the teacher leads pupils in singing the “My Feelings Rhyme” with actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and sing the rhyme with the teacher, performing the actions.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of self-expression through visual and auditory learning.
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 does self-expression mean? (Show what you think or feel)
- Name one way you can show how you feel. (e.g., drawing, talking, acting)
- Draw a happy face on your paper.
- Show me with your body how you would act if you were excited.
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/Encouragement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson by reminding pupils that it is good to show their feelings and thoughts in many different ways. The teacher encourages them to always express themselves safely.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and repeat key phrases like “I can show my feelings.”
Learning Point: Pupils understand the importance of self-expression.
Lesson Keywords
- Self-expression – showing what you think or feel inside.
- Feelings – emotions like happy, sad, or angry.
- Thoughts – ideas or things you are thinking about.
- Draw – to make pictures with crayons or pencils.
- Mould – to shape materials like playdough.
- Act – to use your body and voice to show something.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are shy or struggling, provide one-on-one encouragement. Offer larger paper and chunky crayons for drawing. Guide their hands gently when moulding playdough. Ask them to just point to a feeling on a chart instead of speaking.
- Extension: Encourage confident pupils to describe their drawings or moulded shapes in more detail. Ask them to act out a short story using different feelings. Challenge them to name another way they can express themselves not discussed in class.
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