Introduction

Hygiene is an essential aspect of our daily lives, and teaching students about proper sneezing etiquette is crucial to prevent the spread of germs and ensure a healthier environment. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of covering your sneeze, either by using your elbow or a tissue, and how to incorporate principles of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) to teach this skill effectively to students in special education.

No-Prep Activity

Here’s a simple, no-prep activity to help your students understand the importance of covering their sneezes:

1. Begin by explaining that sneezing can spread germs, and it’s essential to cover our sneezes to keep ourselves and others healthy.
2. Ask the students to stand up and pretend to sneeze, first without covering their mouth and nose, then with their hand, and finally using their elbow or a tissue.
3. Discuss the differences between each method and why using the elbow or a tissue is the most effective way to prevent germ spreading.
4. Reinforce the lesson by having students practice this skill throughout the day, reminding them to cover their sneezes properly.

Discussion Questions

Encourage further discussions by asking your students the following questions:

• Why is it important to cover our sneezes?
• How do you feel when someone sneezes without covering their mouth and nose?
• What can happen if we don’t cover our sneezes and spread germs?
• How can we remember to cover our sneezes with our elbow or a tissue?
• What other ways can we practice good hygiene to keep ourselves and others healthy?

Related Skills

Teaching proper sneezing etiquette is just one aspect of promoting good hygiene and social-emotional learning. Other relevant skills for students include:

• Handwashing: Encourage students to wash their hands regularly, especially after sneezing, coughing, or using the restroom.
• Personal space: Teach students about respecting personal boundaries and maintaining an appropriate distance from others.
• Empathy: Help students understand how their actions, such as sneezing without covering, can affect others’ feelings and well-being.
• Responsibility: Encourage students to take responsibility for their actions and make an effort to maintain good hygiene practices.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about teaching proper sneezing hygiene through Social-Emotional Learning, it’s time to put these skills into practice. To help you get started, sign up for free samples of this skill and others at Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with valuable tools and materials to effectively teach your students the importance of covering their sneezes and maintaining good hygiene.