Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, prepare empty medicine packets or bottles (ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and safe), and relevant pictures of doctors, nurses, and a locked medicine cabinet. The central idea for pupils to grasp is that medicine is for when they are sick and must *only* be given by a trusted adult. Observe if pupils can clearly state that they must ask an adult before touching or taking any medicine, especially if it looks like sweets.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 10
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Basic Science and Technology
Curriculum Theme: Basic Science and Technology
Previous Lesson: Understanding different parts of the body
Topic: DRUG ABUSE
Subject Matter: Uses of drugs, meaning of drug abuse and how to stay away from medicine.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify simple uses of medicine (drugs).
- Explain in simple terms what drug abuse means.
- State at least two ways to stay away from medicine.
Affective Domain
- Show caution towards medicine and unknown substances.
- Appreciate the importance of adult supervision when it comes to medicine.
Psychomotor Domain
- Point to pictures of safe adults who can give medicine.
- Demonstrate how to tell an adult if they find medicine.
Social Domain
- Participate in discussions about medicine safety.
- Listen respectfully to the teacher’s instructions on staying safe.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
- Child-friendly health and safety charts
Instructional Materials
- Empty, clean medicine packets and bottles (e.g., cough syrup bottle, paracetamol blister pack)
- Charts/posters showing doctors, nurses, and children taking medicine safely
- Pictures of various medicines (some that look like sweets) and a locked medicine cabinet
- Picture cards of a doctor, nurse, and parent/guardian
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is crucial for 4-year-olds as it introduces them to basic medicine safety, a vital life skill. Understanding the uses of medicine and the dangers of drug abuse helps children develop a sense of caution and teaches them to always seek adult supervision, preventing accidental poisoning and promoting healthy habits from an early age.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify different parts of their body and know that sometimes they feel unwell. They are familiar with adults like their parents, teachers, and doctors.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Uses of Drugs, Meaning of Drug Abuse and How to Stay Away from Medicine
What are Drugs (Medicine)?
Drugs, also called medicine, are special things that help us feel better when we are sick. They are given to us by doctors, nurses, or our parents/guardians.
- We take medicine when we have a fever, cough, stomach ache, or other sickness.
- Medicine helps to make the sickness go away.
Who Gives Us Medicine?
Only trusted adults can give us medicine:
- The Doctor
- The Nurse
- Our Mummy or Daddy (or other guardian)
Never take medicine from a stranger or by yourself.
What is Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse means taking medicine in a wrong or dangerous way. It is very bad and can make you very, very sick.
- Taking medicine without a doctor’s order.
- Taking too much medicine.
- Taking medicine when you are not sick.
- Taking medicine that looks like sweets.
Drug abuse is dangerous! It can hurt your body.
How to Stay Away from Medicine (and be safe!)
To stay safe from medicine that can hurt you:
- NEVER touch or take medicine by yourself.
- ALWAYS ask an adult (Mummy, Daddy, Teacher) before you take anything that looks like medicine.
- NEVER eat medicine that looks like sweets. It is not candy!
- If you find medicine on the floor or anywhere, do not touch it. Tell an adult immediately!
- Medicine should always be kept in a safe, locked place, far away from children.
Key Words
- Drug/Medicine – Something that helps us when we are sick.
- Abuse – Using something in a wrong or dangerous way.
- Doctor – A person who helps sick people and tells us what medicine to take.
- Safe – Not in danger; protected from harm.
- Dangerous – Something that can hurt you.
Medicine Safety Rhyme
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Medicine helps when I am sick,
But only grown-ups make it click.
Never take it on my own,
Always ask before it’s known.
If it looks like candy sweet,
Still I ask before I eat!
Actions: Point to self, pretend to take medicine, shake head “no”, point to an adult, pretend to eat, shake head “no” again.
Watch and Learn About Medicine Safety
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce medicine as something that helps us when sick, using simple language. Show pictures of doctors and nurses. Clearly explain drug abuse as taking medicine wrongly, emphasizing it’s dangerous. Use the empty medicine packets to demonstrate what medicine looks like and reiterate that it’s not candy. Guide pupils to repeat the safety rules.
What to show or demonstrate: Display the empty medicine packets/bottles. Point to charts/posters of doctors, nurses, and a locked medicine cabinet. Demonstrate how to tell an adult if medicine is found on the floor (e.g., by pointing and calling an adult). Show pictures of medicine that might look like sweets and explain the danger.
How to use the rhyme/song: Teach the “Medicine Safety Rhyme” by singing it slowly and clearly. Encourage pupils to join in with the actions. Repeat the rhyme several times to help them remember the key message: “Always ask before it’s known.”
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a short cartoon about medicine safety. Play the video “Don’t Take Medicine Without an Adult” (from Kids Health). After watching, ask pupils what the most important message was (e.g., “Always ask an adult!”). Discuss the characters and what they learned.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand that medicine is for sickness and only given by adults. Check for any confusion between medicine and sweets. Ensure they grasp the importance of telling an adult if they find medicine.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk, Question and Answer, Role-play, 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 if they remember a time they felt sick. The teacher then asks, “What did Mummy or Daddy give you to make you feel better?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by sharing experiences of feeling sick and mentioning that they took medicine.
Learning Point: Pupils recall experiences of sickness and taking medicine, linking to the lesson topic.
Step 2: Uses of Drugs (Medicine)
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains that “drugs” are also called “medicine” and they help us when we are sick. The teacher shows pictures of doctors and nurses and empty medicine packets/bottles, explaining that medicine makes us feel better when a doctor or adult gives it to us.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils look at the pictures and empty medicine packets, listening to the explanation. They repeat, “Medicine helps me when I am sick.”
Learning Point: Pupils understand that medicine is for sickness and is given by trusted adults.
Step 3: Who Gives Us Medicine?
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Identification/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses picture cards of a doctor, nurse, and parent/guardian. The teacher asks, “Who gives us medicine?” and emphasizes that only these trusted adults can give medicine.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the doctor, nurse, and parent/guardian from the picture cards and repeat, “Only Mummy, Daddy, Doctor, or Nurse gives me medicine.”
Learning Point: Pupils identify the correct people who can administer medicine.
Step 4: Meaning of Drug Abuse
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Caution
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains in simple terms that “drug abuse” means taking medicine in a wrong or dangerous way, like taking too much, taking it when not sick, or taking it without an adult’s permission. The teacher stresses that this is very dangerous and can make them very sick.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen carefully and repeat, “Drug abuse is dangerous!”
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the simple meaning of drug abuse and its danger.
Step 5: How to Stay Away from Medicine (Rhyme and Rules)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Rhyme/Repetition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces and teaches the “Medicine Safety Rhyme,” leading pupils through the lyrics and actions. The teacher emphasizes the rule: “Never take medicine by yourself! Always ask an adult!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with actions and repeat the safety rule.
Learning Point: Pupils learn a rhyme to remember medicine safety rules and practice repeating the key rule.
Step 6: How to Stay Away from Medicine (Video and Role-play)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Video/Role-play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher plays the short video “Don’t Take Medicine Without an Adult.” After the video, the teacher leads a short role-play where a pupil “finds” a pretend medicine packet and “tells” the teacher (as the adult).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video and participate in the role-play, demonstrating how to tell an adult if they find medicine.
Learning Point: Pupils visualize and practice the action of informing an adult about medicine.
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.
- “Why do we take medicine?”
- “Who should give you medicine?”
- “What is it called if you take medicine without asking an adult?”
- “What should you do if you find medicine on the ground?”
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: Summarization/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher reminds pupils of the most important rule: “Always ask an adult before you take any medicine!” The teacher leads the class in singing the “Medicine Safety Rhyme” one last time.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils repeat the main safety rule and sing the rhyme.
Learning Point: Pupils internalize the core safety message about medicine.
Lesson Keywords
- Drug – Another word for medicine, used to make us well.
- Medicine – Special things given by a doctor or adult to help us when we are sick.
- Abuse – Using something in a wrong or dangerous way.
- Doctor – A person who helps sick people.
- Safe – Not in danger, protected from harm.
- Dangerous – Something that can hurt you.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who are struggling, use larger pictures and fewer choices when asking questions. Provide more one-on-one repetition of the key safety phrases like “Ask an adult!” Use hand gestures and actions to reinforce the meaning of “safe” and “dangerous.”
- Extension: Encourage advanced pupils to explain in their own words why it is dangerous to take medicine without an adult. Ask them to identify other things in the house that might be dangerous if not used properly (e.g., cleaning supplies), always emphasizing to tell an adult.
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