Introduction

Teaching kindergarten students about the importance of oral hygiene is a vital aspect of their overall health and wellbeing. Good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing teeth regularly, can prevent bad breath and keep their mouths clean, ultimately fostering positive social interactions. In this blog post, we will explore an engaging no-prep activity, thought-provoking discussion questions, and related skills to help educators incorporate oral hygiene lessons into their curriculum.

No-Prep Activity: The Toothbrush Relay

The Toothbrush Relay is a fun and interactive activity that requires no preparation or materials from the educator. To begin, have students form two lines, with each student standing behind the other. The first student in each line will pretend to hold a toothbrush. When the teacher says “go,” the first student will pretend to brush their teeth for 10 seconds, then pass the imaginary toothbrush to the next student in line. The relay continues until the last student in each line has completed the task. The first team to finish wins.

This activity encourages teamwork and reinforces the importance of brushing teeth regularly. It also provides an opportunity for students to practice good brushing techniques while engaging in a fun and competitive game.

Discussion Questions

• Why do you think it is important to brush our teeth every day?
• How do you feel when you are around someone with bad breath? How do you think they might feel?
• What other things can we do to keep our mouths clean and healthy?
• How can we remind ourselves to brush our teeth in the morning and at night?
• Do you think it is important for our friends and classmates to have good oral hygiene? Why or why not?

Related Skills

Teaching oral hygiene to kindergarten students not only helps them maintain good health but also supports their development of other essential skills. Some related skills include:

• Personal responsibility: Encouraging students to take care of their oral health helps them understand the importance of personal responsibility and self-care.
• Empathy: Discussing how bad breath can impact others helps students develop empathy and consider the feelings of their peers.
• Communication skills: Engaging in conversations about oral hygiene can help students practice their communication skills while discussing a topic relevant to their daily lives.
• Healthy habits: Teaching students to brush their teeth regularly can contribute to the development of other healthy habits, such as hand washing and proper nutrition.

Next Steps

Incorporating oral hygiene lessons into your kindergarten curriculum is an excellent way to promote overall health and foster positive social interactions among students. To access free samples of this skill and others, be sure to sign up for free materials at Everyday Speech.