Kindergarten Health

• Introduction to Health
  Taking care of our health means taking care of our body, emotions, and relationships. There are many things we can and already do to keep our bodies healthy. We read, I Love My Amazing Body.

• Asking for Help | Health Helpers
  Asking for help is a consistent theme throughout the kindergarten health lessons. This lesson identifies various health helpers at home, school, and in the community. We read Back To Front and Upside Down and reflect on the importance of asking for help. 

• Asking for Help | Who and How
  Building on the previous lesson of identifying “health helpers” students will decipher when asking for help is necessary and how to ask. Students learn that there are some things kindergarteners always need help with, and then circle pictures of activities that they ask for help with. 

• Bones
  Students will learn basic functions of bones and the calcium rich foods and activities that help keep our bones healthy and strong, so we can do all of the things we love. 

• Germs
  Students meet Min the microbe from the book, Do Not Lick This Book and observe a glitter demonstration to learn how easily germs spread. We go over the basic techniques for preventing the spread of germs; washing hands, using tissues, and using your “chicken wing”. 

• Hygiene
  Hygiene is introduced as the things we do to keep our bodies clean. We take care of our bodies because we love our bodies and deserve to feel our best. Hygiene also helps to keep germs away and can be a way for us to soothe ourselves. Students work together to create a hygiene schedule, placing different behaviors into “morning”, “day” and “before bed” categories. We finish by playing hygiene BINGO. 

• Going to the Dentist
  As we continue to learn about basic hygiene, students brainstorm reasons for visiting the dentist. We discuss what happens at a typical appointment and use visuals are to minimize fear of accessing dental care. 

• Dressing for the Weather
  Caring for our bodies also means making sure we have everything we need to be safe and ready for the day. We discuss the different articles of clothing needed for different weather conditions and activities and help “Bob” get ready for various situations. 

• Sleep
  We read Sleep is for Everyone and learn about all of the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Students identify the things that make them feel calm, cozy and ready for sleep. 

• Trying New Things
  Trying new things helps us learn and grow. We read, Jabari Jumps and realize that trying something new means that we have to be brave, and it's helpful to have an adult's help.  Students think about food that they might want to try and learn that trying new foods makes our bodies happy. 

• Self-Confidence *Valentine's Day Lesson*
  Students learn what it means to have self confidence. We learn that self confidence keeps us healthy because it helps us to feel brave enough to try new things and encourages us to want to take care of ourselves. We read, I Am Me and draw portraits of something we love about ourselves. 

• Movement
  We learn that when we are physically active our bodies get stronger, we sleep better, and we are happier. Movement is one of the quickest ways to boost our mood. Students participate in a freeze dance and share out how they feel after a few minutes of activity. They finish by drawing a picture of their favorite way to be active. 

• Asking for Permission
  We read Don’t Hug Doug and learn that we all have different preferences about our personal space. It’s never okay to touch someone if they don’t want to be touched, so you always have to ask first. People (kids and adults) should always ask our permission before they touch us, too. If someone isn’t listening to our “no thank you's” we can find an adult to ask for help.  Students name and draw a picture of their favorite way to say goodbye. 

• Bodies
  Please see the tab below with detailed information about the bodies lesson. 

• Emotions
  Paying attention to our emotions is important for our health. Students learn that we have many emotions and that it’s normal to feel differently from others. We need to be able to notice our feelings and make sense of them. We read The Color Monster, and students practice drawing what different emotions look like for them. 

• Listening to our Bodies
  Listening to our bodies takes practice. Sometimes our bodies give us signals about how we’re feeling. We read, My Body Sends the Signal and students practice identifying the signals their body sends them for various emotions. 

• Coping
  Having previously learned how to identify feelings students learn how to take care of, or cope with their feelings. We try different coping strategies in class and read, Breath Like A Bear. Students finish by drawing a picture of an adult who they can ask for help when their feelings are too difficult to cope with on their own. 

• Health Superheroes
  We review all of the health topics we’ve learned about in Kindergarten health and students pick a positive healthy behavior that they want everyone to do. They become a healthy superhero and design capes that teach other students about their health. 

*Lessons may not be taught in the order shown, and some lessons are missed due to snow days, field trips, and other events. 

The bodies lesson is adapted from a lesson within the Health Relationships Project Curriculum. You can learn more about their curriculum here: www.pcavt.org/csaprevention. A video overview of the lesson is below as well as a handout with more information.  

• Lesson Plan

  • Worksheet

• Opt Out Form

Additional Resources for Caregivers:

• Teaching Kids About Their Bodies

• 10 Tips for Parents to Teach Children about Body Safety and Boundaries 

• The American Academy of Pediatrics 

  • What's Normal, What's Not

• The CDC

• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

• The Boundary Song

• Books to read at home:

  • Yes! No!

  • Hands Off Harry

  • Can I GIve You A Squish?

  • We Ask Permission

  • Amazing You!