Class: Pre-School Level 4
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 5 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Personal Development
Curriculum Theme: Personal Development
Previous Lesson: Basic personal hygiene practices like handwashing.
Topic: Proper Ways to Sneeze, Yawn and Cough
Subject Matter: Proper Ways to Sneeze, Yawn and Cough.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

Identify the proper ways to sneeze, yawn, and cough.
Explain why it is important to cover their mouths and noses when sneezing, yawning, or coughing.

Affective Domain

Appreciate the importance of good hygiene for themselves and others.
Willingly use a handkerchief or tissue when sneezing, yawning, or coughing.

Psychomotor Domain

Demonstrate the proper way to sneeze using a handkerchief, tissue, or elbow.
Demonstrate the proper way to cough using a handkerchief, tissue, or elbow.
Demonstrate the proper way to yawn by covering their mouth.

Understand the need for consideration and respect for others’ health in public spaces.

Reference Materials

NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 4
Early Childhood Care and Education resources on personal hygiene

Instructional Materials

Real handkerchiefs
Tissue papers
Charts and posters showing children sneezing, yawning, and coughing properly
Pictures of germs (simple illustrations)
Video clip on hygiene etiquette

Rationale for the Lesson

Learning proper sneezing, yawning, and coughing etiquette is crucial for 5-year-olds as it teaches them essential hygiene practices. This lesson helps prevent the spread of germs, promotes good health habits, and fosters consideration for others in the classroom and community, contributing to a healthier environment for everyone.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are familiar with basic personal hygiene practices such as washing hands and keeping their bodies clean.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Proper Ways to Sneeze, Yawn and Cough

We all sneeze, yawn, and cough sometimes. These are natural things our bodies do. But it is very important to do them in a way that keeps us and our friends healthy.

Why do we cover our mouths and noses?

When we sneeze or cough, tiny little “germs” can fly out of our mouths and noses. These germs are so small we cannot see them, but they can make other people sick. When we yawn, it is polite to cover our mouths.

Proper Way to Sneeze and Cough:

Use a Handkerchief or Tissue: The best way is to quickly grab a clean handkerchief or tissue and cover your mouth and nose completely.
Sneeze/Cough into your Elbow: If you don’t have a handkerchief or tissue, turn your head and sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow. This is better than using your hand because you touch many things with your hands.
Throw Away Used Tissues: Always throw used tissues into a dustbin immediately.
Wash Your Hands: After sneezing or coughing, especially if you used your hands, always wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser.

Proper Way to Yawn:

Cover Your Mouth: When you feel a yawn coming, gently cover your mouth with your hand or a handkerchief. This is a polite thing to do.

Key Words

Sneeze – when air comes out of your nose and mouth very fast.
Yawn – when you open your mouth wide and breathe in deeply, usually when you are tired.
Cough – when air comes out of your lungs with a loud sound.
Handkerchief – a piece of cloth used for wiping your nose or mouth.
Tissue – a soft paper used for wiping your nose or mouth.
Germs – tiny living things that can make us sick.

What the Teacher Should Show or Draw

Pictures of children demonstrating proper sneezing, coughing, and yawning.
A simple drawing of a germ.
Real handkerchiefs and tissue papers.

Hygiene Rhyme

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

When I sneeze or when I cough,
Cover mouth, don’t let germs off!
Use a tissue, or my arm,
Keep my friends safe from all harm.
When I yawn, I cover too,
Good hygiene for me and you!

Actions: Pupils mimic sneezing, coughing, covering mouth with hand/elbow, and yawning while singing.

How to use the rhyme: Sing the rhyme together after demonstrating the proper actions. Encourage pupils to perform the actions as they sing.

Watch and Practise

The teacher will show a short educational video demonstrating proper sneeze, cough, and yawn etiquette for children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9y-H44XG4s

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Demonstration
Guided Practice
Picture Talk
Role-play
Songs and Rhymes
Question and Answer
Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them if they know what happens when someone sneezes, coughs, or yawns. The teacher might make a sound like a sneeze or cough to get their attention.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by sharing their experiences or making similar sounds.

Learning Point: Pupils recall common body actions and are introduced to the topic.

Step 2: What are Sneezing, Yawning, Coughing?

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Visual Aid

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly explains what sneezing, yawning, and coughing are, using simple words. The teacher shows pictures of children performing these actions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures and listen to the explanations, identifying with the actions.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic meaning of sneezing, yawning, and coughing.

Step 3: Why Cover Our Mouths? (The Germ Concept)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Concept Building

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains, in simple terms, about “germs” that can spread when we sneeze or cough without covering our mouths. The teacher shows a simple picture of germs and explains they can make us and our friends sick. The teacher also explains that covering our mouths when yawning is polite.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and participate in a short discussion about germs and why covering is important.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the reason for covering their mouths and noses to prevent germ spread and for politeness.

Step 4: Demonstration of Proper Ways

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the proper ways to sneeze, cough, and yawn. The teacher uses a clean handkerchief, a tissue, and also demonstrates using the elbow. The teacher emphasizes throwing away tissues and washing hands.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher’s demonstrations carefully, paying attention to the correct actions.

Learning Point: Pupils observe the correct hygiene practices for sneezing, coughing, and yawning.

Step 5: Guided Practice and Rhyme

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes handkerchiefs or tissues (or guides pupils to use their elbows) and leads the pupils in practising the proper actions for sneezing, coughing, and yawning. The teacher then introduces and leads the class in singing the “Hygiene Rhyme” with actions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively practice the proper techniques with guidance. They sing the rhyme and perform the actions.

Learning Point: Pupils actively practice and reinforce the proper habits through repetition and song.

Step 6: Video Reinforcement

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Visual Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the short educational video clip on proper sneeze, cough, and yawn etiquette. The teacher pauses to highlight key points.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video, observe the demonstrations, and discuss what they see.

Learning Point: Pupils receive visual reinforcement of the good hygiene habits taught.

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.

“Show me how you would sneeze if you had a tissue.”
“Show me how you would cough if you didn’t have a tissue.”
“Why is it important to cover your mouth when you yawn?”
“What should you do with a used tissue?”

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson by explaining and performing the proper actions.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarising/Encouragement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their participation and reminds them to always practice these good habits at home and in school to stay healthy and keep others healthy.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and affirm their commitment to practicing good hygiene.

Learning Point: Pupils are encouraged to apply the learned habits in their daily lives.

Lesson Keywords

Sneeze – when air comes out of your nose and mouth very fast.
Yawn – when you open your mouth wide and breathe in deeply, usually when you are tired.
Cough – when air comes out of your lungs with a loud sound.
Handkerchief – a piece of cloth used for wiping your nose or mouth.
Germs – tiny living things that can make us sick.

Differentiation

Support: For pupils who struggle, the teacher will provide more one-on-one modelling and hand-over-hand guidance during practice. Use larger pictures and slower demonstrations.
Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, the teacher can ask them to explain to a peer why handwashing is important after sneezing/coughing, or identify other situations where covering their mouth is a good habit (e.g., when talking close to someone).

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have enough clean handkerchiefs and tissue papers for demonstration and for some pupils to use during practice. Prepare the charts, pictures, and have the video link ready. The main idea children must understand is that covering their mouths and noses prevents germs from spreading and keeps everyone healthy. When demonstrating, exaggerate the actions slightly for clarity. Encourage all pupils to participate in the practical demonstrations and the rhyme. Pay close attention to how pupils physically demonstrate the actions, as this is the primary way to assess their understanding. Remind them that if they don’t have a tissue or handkerchief, their elbow is the next best option. Emphasize the importance of handwashing after sneezing or coughing.