Active learning ideas
Personal Hygiene is a practical and essential part of the 'Taking care of my body' strand. For Senior Infants, the focus is on developing independent routines for handwashing, dental care, and general cleanliness. These habits are crucial for preventing the spread of illness within the school community and for fostering a sense of personal responsibility for one's own wellbeing.
Activity 01
A small amount of glitter (representing germs) is placed on one student's hand. They shake hands with others to see how 'germs' spread, followed by a collaborative investigation into the best way to wash the glitter off.
Why do we wash our hands?
Activity 02
Stations include: practicing brushing a giant set of teeth, sequencing cards for handwashing, and a 'tissue toss' game for catching sneezes. Students rotate to master each hygiene skill.
How do we brush our teeth properly?
Activity 03
Students think of three times during the school day when it is most important to wash their hands. They share with a partner and then help the teacher create a 'Hygiene Timetable' for the classroom.
What happens if we don't keep clean?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
If my hands look clean, they are clean.
Children rely on visual cues. Using the glitter simulation or a bread-mold experiment helps them understand that 'invisible' germs can still be present and require washing.
Brushing my teeth once a week is enough.
Young children lack a sense of frequency. Using daily charts and active role play about 'morning and night' routines helps reinforce the necessity of regular, daily habits.
Methods used in this brief