Your Body is Private
Toddlers internalize routines through repetition and movement. 'Your Body is Private' supports emerging independence and safety awareness.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Health, Safety and Hygiene
- Learning area: Understanding the World
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Identify body parts
- Imitate hygiene routines
- Follow 1-step safety directions
Instructions
Materials
- One large, anatomically neutral cloth doll.
- A set of doll-sized clothing including shirts, pants, and underwear.
- A soft, comfortable floor rug for circle time.
- A handheld mirror for each child.
- A simple picture book about body parts and personal space.
Learning Objectives
- Identify basic body parts by pointing to them on themselves or the doll.
- Demonstrate understanding of the concept of clothing as a covering.
- Respond to simple verbal cues regarding personal space.
- Practise the concept of private areas through consistent, gentle modelling.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather the children on the rug and place the doll in the centre.
2. Use the mirror to help children identify their own eyes, nose, and hands, then point to the same parts on the doll.
3. Explain that some parts of our bodies are private and are covered by our clothes.
4. Demonstrate dressing the doll by putting on underwear, then pants, then a shirt.
5. Use a calm, clear voice to say, "The doll has private parts, so we keep them covered with clothes."
6. Allow children to touch the doll's clothed areas to reinforce the boundary of the fabric.
7. If a child attempts to undress the doll, gently redirect them by saying, "We keep the doll dressed to keep it safe and private."
8. Read the picture book together, emphasizing the names of body parts and the importance of clothes.
9. Conclude the activity by having children practise pulling their own shirts down or adjusting their pants.
Educator Tip
Consistency is the most important tool when teaching body safety to toddlers. Always use the same terminology for body parts and emphasize that clothes are a layer of protection. If a child becomes distracted, keep the lesson brief and return to the physical act of dressing the doll to maintain engagement.
Assessment
- Observe if the child can correctly point to body parts when named.
- Note if the child understands the function of clothing as a covering during the doll play.
- Record whether the child follows simple instructions regarding personal space during the group session.
Educator tip
Use choice questions; keep groups small; accept approximations; keep transitions fast.
Assessment
Observe and note: emerging independence, two-word combinations, imitation of actions, and early pretend play. Use Development Matters non-statutory guidance checkpoints. Observe imitation, participation, simple labelling.