Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure your classroom is set up to minimize distractions. Prepare clear picture cards showing children paying attention and not paying attention. The central idea is for pupils to understand that paying attention helps them learn and to demonstrate simple behaviours like looking at the teacher, listening, and being still. Observe if pupils can maintain focus for short periods and follow instructions related to attention.

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 4
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Personal Development
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: PAYING ATTENTION DURING LEARNING TIME
Subject Matter: PAYING ATTENTION DURING LEARNING TIME.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Define “paying attention” in simple terms.
Identify behaviours that show good attention during learning time.
State one reason why paying attention is important.

Affective Domain

Show willingness to pay attention during classroom activities.
Appreciate the value of listening to the teacher and classmates.

Psychomotor Domain

Demonstrate paying attention by looking at the teacher, keeping quiet, and sitting still.
Participate in singing a song about paying attention.

Take turns to share ideas about paying attention.
Work cooperatively during group activities that require focus.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

Picture cards showing children paying attention and not paying attention
Charts with simple rules for paying attention (e.g., “Eyes on the teacher,” “Quiet mouth”)
Videos on paying attention for preschoolers
Early Learner Environmental Studies (as a context for learning)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is crucial for 4-year-olds as it teaches them foundational self-regulation skills necessary for successful learning. By understanding and practising how to pay attention, pupils develop better listening habits and improve their ability to absorb new information, preparing them for more structured learning environments. It also fosters respect for the learning process and for others in the classroom.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can listen to short stories, follow simple one-step instructions, and recognize familiar classroom objects.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

PAYING ATTENTION DURING LEARNING TIME

Paying attention means using your eyes, ears, and brain to focus on what the teacher is saying or showing.

When you pay attention, you:

Look at the teacher.
Listen with your ears.
Keep your mouth quiet.
Keep your body still.

Why is paying attention important?

It helps you learn new things.
It helps you understand instructions.
It helps you do well in school.

Key Words

Attention – focusing your mind, eyes, and ears on something.
Listen – to hear and understand what someone is saying.
Learning Time – the time when we are taught new things in class.

Attention Song

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Lyrics:

Eyes on teacher, ears so keen,
Quiet mouth, not a sound is seen.
Body still, ready to learn,
My turn to listen, my turn, my turn.
Eyes on teacher, ears so keen,
Learning time, the best I’ve seen!

Actions: Point to eyes, then ears, then mouth, then sit still. Nod head for “ready to learn.”

Watch and Practise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT8w_K15_t4

💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary

How to teach the content: Introduce “paying attention” by asking pupils what they do when they want to hear a story. Use simple language and demonstrate good and bad attention. Display the charts with rules for paying attention. Emphasize that paying attention helps them learn and grow.

What to show or demonstrate: Use picture cards to show children with “eyes on teacher, quiet mouths, listening ears, still bodies” versus those who are distracted. Model the correct posture and focus. Ask pupils to imitate your “attention pose.”

How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Attention Song” together with actions. Repeat it several times, encouraging pupils to join in and perform the actions. Use it as a transition or a reminder before starting a new activity.

How to use the video: Introduce the video as “a fun song about how to pay attention.” Play the video “Eyes on the Teacher” by Jack Hartmann. After watching, discuss what the children in the video were doing to show they were paying attention. Encourage pupils to practise the actions from the song.

What to watch for: Observe if pupils can physically demonstrate the components of paying attention (eyes, ears, mouth, body). Look for pupils who might be easily distracted and provide gentle reminders or individual prompts.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

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

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they remember from the previous lesson (e.g., about good habits). The teacher then introduces the topic by asking, “What do we do when the teacher is talking or showing us something important?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and try to recall previous lessons. They offer ideas about listening or looking at the teacher.

Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and prepared for the new topic.

Step 2: Explaining “Paying Attention”

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what “paying attention” means using simple words and actions. “Paying attention means using your eyes to look, your ears to listen, and keeping your mouth quiet and body still.” The teacher shows picture cards of children paying attention and not paying attention, asking pupils to identify the correct behaviour.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation, observe the picture cards, and point to the children who are paying attention.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the simple meaning of paying attention and can identify it visually.

Step 3: Demonstrating Attention Behaviours

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Modelling/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the four key behaviours of paying attention: “Eyes on the teacher,” “Ears listening,” “Quiet mouth,” and “Still body.” The teacher asks pupils to imitate each action one by one, providing positive reinforcement.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils imitate the teacher’s actions for “eyes on teacher,” “ears listening,” “quiet mouth,” and “still body.”

Learning Point: Pupils physically practise and demonstrate the components of paying attention.

Step 4: Singing the Attention Song

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Song/Rhyme Integration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the “Attention Song” and sings it with actions. The teacher encourages pupils to join in, repeating the song several times to help them learn the lyrics and actions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the song, then sing along and perform the actions for “Eyes on teacher, ears so keen, quiet mouth, body still.”

Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the concept of paying attention through a fun, memorable song.

Step 5: Watching and Discussing the Video

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Media Integration/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the video “Eyes on the Teacher” for the pupils. After the video, the teacher asks questions like, “What did the children in the video do to show they were paying attention?” and “Why is it good to pay attention?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video attentively. They then respond to the teacher’s questions, sharing what they observed and understood from the video.

Learning Point: Pupils gain further visual reinforcement and can articulate reasons for paying attention.

Step 6: Role-play/Practice

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Role-play/Application

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher sets up a short role-play scenario (e.g., “I am going to tell you a short story. Show me how you pay attention.”). The teacher observes pupils’ attention and provides gentle reminders if needed.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils demonstrate paying attention by sitting correctly, looking at the teacher, and listening quietly during the short story or instruction.

Learning Point: Pupils apply their understanding of paying attention in a practical classroom scenario.

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 is the right thing to do during learning time?
Show me how you pay attention with your eyes.
What do you do with your mouth when the teacher is talking?
Why is it important to pay attention?

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: Summarization/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises pupils for their efforts in paying attention and reminds them to always try their best to pay attention during learning time. The teacher leads a final round of the “Attention Song.”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the final song and acknowledge the importance of paying attention.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to practise paying attention consistently.

Lesson Keywords

Attention – focusing your mind, eyes, and ears on something.
Listen – to hear and understand what someone is saying.
Learning Time – the time when we are taught new things in class.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who struggle to maintain attention, provide more frequent visual cues, sit them closer to the teacher, use gentle physical prompts (e.g., a light tap on the shoulder), or give simpler, shorter instructions. Use fewer choices in activities.
Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to explain in their own words *why* paying attention helps them learn. Ask them to identify other situations outside of learning time (e.g., at home, in the market) where paying attention is important.