Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure your playground is safe and free of hazards. The central idea for pupils is to understand that playing safely means avoiding harm to themselves and others. Observe closely as pupils practise safe play actions during guided activities and on the playground, ensuring they can demonstrate key safety rules like taking turns and not pushing.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 9
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Following Simple School Rules
Topic: Playing Safely During Break
Subject Matter: Playing Safely During Break
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Define safety in simple terms.
- Identify safe ways to play on the playground.
- Recall at least two rules for safe play.
Affective Domain
- Show willingness to follow safety rules during break time.
- Express concern for friends’ safety while playing.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate safe actions like walking, not running, and taking turns.
- Practise using playground equipment safely.
Social Domain
- Take turns with friends during play.
- Participate in group discussions about safe play.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Learner Environmental Studies
- Pictures of children playing safely and unsafely
Instructional Materials
- Pictures showing safe and unsafe play on a playground
- Flashcards with simple safety rules (e.g., “No Pushing,” “Take Turns”)
- Actual playground equipment (if lesson is conducted outdoors or near a playground)
- A chart displaying “Our Safe Play Rules”
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is crucial for 4-year-olds as they are increasingly active and independent during break times. Learning about safe play helps them understand how to protect themselves and their friends from injuries, fostering responsible behaviour and a positive play environment at school.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify different parts of the school, understand simple instructions, and follow basic classroom rules.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Playing Safely During Break
Playing safely means keeping ourselves and our friends from getting hurt. When we play safely, everyone can have fun!What is Safety?
Safety means being careful so that no one gets injured or hurt.How to Play Safely During Break Time:
- Walk, don’t run inside the classroom or near crowded areas.
- Take turns on the slide, swing, or other equipment.
- Do not push or shove your friends.
- Use playground equipment properly: Sit on the swing, slide down feet first.
- Stay away from dangerous areas like broken fences or sharp objects.
- Tell a teacher if you or a friend gets hurt.
- Share toys and play space.
Key Words
- Safety – Being careful to avoid getting hurt.
- Play – To have fun with games and activities.
- Rules – Instructions to follow.
- Break – Time to rest and play between lessons.
Safe Play Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lyrics:
Playground fun, so much to do,
Be safe, be safe, me and you.
No pushing, no running fast,
Good safe play, forever last.
Take turns, share, and be so kind,
Safe play rules, we always mind.
Actions: Clap hands for “Playground fun,” point to self and friend for “me and you,” shake head for “No pushing, no running,” make a ‘stop’ sign for “forever last,” mime sharing for “Take turns, share,” and point to head for “always mind.”
Watch and Practise Safe Play
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce the topic by asking pupils what they like to do during break time. Explain “safety” using simple language and examples they can relate to (e.g., “Don’t touch hot stove, that’s safety at home”). Discuss each safe play rule, using the pictures to illustrate both safe and unsafe behaviours. Ask questions like, “What do you see happening here?” and “Is this safe or unsafe?”
What to show or demonstrate: Use the pictures of safe/unsafe play. Demonstrate safe actions like walking slowly, taking turns, and sliding feet first. If possible, take pupils to the playground to point out equipment and demonstrate safe use. Show the “Our Safe Play Rules” chart and read each rule aloud.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Safe Play Rhyme” after discussing the rules. Sing it together several times, encouraging pupils to do the actions. Use it as a fun way to remember the rules before going out for break.
How to use the video: Introduce the video by saying, “Let’s watch a video about how to play safely on the playground.” After watching, ask pupils what new safety rules they learned or what they saw children doing safely. Encourage them to mimic some of the safe actions from the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand the difference between safe and unsafe actions and if they can identify specific rules. Encourage participation from all pupils, especially those who might be shy, by asking simple “yes/no” or “safe/unsafe” questions.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Picture Talk
- Question and Answer
- Role-play
- Songs and Rhymes
- Repetition
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what their favourite part of the school day is. (Many will say “break time” or “playtime”). The teacher then introduces the topic: “Today, we will learn how to play safely during our break time.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the lesson topic.
Step 2: Meaning of Safety
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Defining
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of safety in simple terms: “Safety means keeping ourselves and our friends from getting hurt.” The teacher gives simple examples of being safe at home (e.g., not touching hot water, not playing with sharp objects).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the explanation and give their own simple examples of being safe.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic meaning of safety.
Step 3: Discussing Safe and Unsafe Play
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Picture Talk/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows pictures of children playing both safely and unsafely on the playground. For each picture, the teacher asks, “What is happening here? Is this safe or unsafe? Why?” The teacher guides pupils to identify good and bad play behaviours.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures, identify safe and unsafe actions, and explain their reasons with guidance from the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils can differentiate between safe and unsafe play actions.
Step 4: Demonstrating Safe Play Rules
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates key safe play rules, such as walking slowly (not running), waiting for a turn, and pretending to slide feet first. The teacher explains why each rule is important.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstrations and listen to the explanations of each rule.
Learning Point: Pupils observe correct safe play behaviours.
Step 5: Guided Practice and Role-play
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads pupils in a short role-play or guided practice session. For example, pupils pretend to line up for a slide, taking turns. The teacher encourages them to practise walking slowly and not pushing.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the guided practice, mimicking safe play actions and taking turns with their peers.
Learning Point: Pupils actively practise safe play behaviours.
Step 6: Reinforcement through Rhyme and Video
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Engagement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Safe Play Rhyme” with actions. Afterwards, the teacher plays the “Playground Safety Song” video and encourages pupils to watch and sing along, reinforcing the safety rules.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and watch the video, repeating the safety messages.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding of safe play through song and visual aids.
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 it mean to be safe?
- Show me how you walk safely inside the classroom.
- What should you do if you want to use the slide and someone else is already there?
- How can you be safe at home? (From seed)
- What should you do if you get hurt on the playground?
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: Summarizing/Encouraging
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always remember and follow the safe play rules during break time to have fun without getting hurt. “Let’s all be safe players!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and respond to the teacher’s encouragement.
Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to apply safe play rules in real life.
Lesson Keywords
- Safety – Being careful to avoid getting hurt.
- Play – To have fun with games and activities.
- Rules – Instructions to follow.
- Break – Time to rest and play between lessons.
- Hurt – To feel pain or get injured.
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