Let's Sing Along (Hygiene Songs)
Level 3 promotes critical thinking and personal responsibility. 'Let's Sing Along (Hygiene Songs)' strengthens reasoning about health and safety decisions.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Health, Safety and Hygiene
- Learning area: Expressive Arts and Design
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Analyse health decisions
- Justify reasoning
- Extend with writing or data tracking
Instructions
Materials
- A portable music player or speaker.
- Printed lyric sheets with simple illustrations for each hygiene step.
- A set of hand-washing visual sequence cards.
- A mirror for students to observe their own facial expressions.
- Small hand-held rhythm instruments like shakers or tambourines.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate the correct sequence of hand-washing steps through rhythmic movement.
- Articulate the importance of hygiene habits by explaining why we wash away germs.
- Maintain a steady beat while singing to improve auditory processing and coordination.
- Collaborate with peers to create new verses for a familiar hygiene melody.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather the children in a circle and introduce the concept of germs as invisible things that we must wash away to stay healthy.
2. Teach a simple hygiene song set to a familiar tune like Row, Row, Row Your Boat, replacing lyrics with hand-washing instructions.
3. Model the hand-washing motions slowly while singing, ensuring you demonstrate scrubbing between fingers and under nails.
4. Distribute rhythm instruments and invite the children to play along as they sing the song a second time.
5. Display the visual sequence cards and ask students to arrange them in the correct order on the board.
6. Divide the group into two sections, having one group sing the lyrics while the other group performs the physical motions.
7. Facilitate a group discussion where students suggest new lyrics for other hygiene habits like brushing teeth or covering a sneeze.
8. Encourage students to perform their new verses for the class, using their instruments to keep the rhythm.
Educator Tip
To differentiate for students who struggle with sequencing, provide individual laminated cards that they can manipulate at their desks. If the group is highly advanced, challenge them to compose a three-verse song that covers the entire bathroom routine from start to finish.
Assessment
- Observe the child performing the correct hand-washing motions in the correct order during the song.
- Listen for the child to correctly identify why hygiene is important during the group discussion.
- Note the child's ability to maintain a consistent beat with their instrument during the performance.
Educator tip
Use simple rubric; insist on justification; allow multiple correct solutions; support with exemplars/word banks.
Assessment
Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Rubric: reasoning, clarity, independence.