Introduction

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of teaching PreK students about proper sneezing etiquette and hygiene practices as part of their social-emotional learning journey. By helping young learners understand the significance of covering their sneezes, we can foster a healthy and respectful learning environment.

No-Prep Activity: Sneeze and Freeze

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. Gather your students in a circle and explain that when someone sneezes, they should cover their sneeze with their elbow or a tissue. Demonstrate the correct way to sneeze into your elbow. Then, have the students practice this action together.

Next, play a game of “Sneeze and Freeze.” In this game, the educator will call out “sneeze” at random intervals. When they hear the cue, students should pretend to sneeze while covering their sneezes correctly. After each sneeze, have the students freeze in place until the educator says “unfreeze,” signaling that the game can continue. This fun and engaging activity will help reinforce proper sneezing etiquette and the importance of not spreading germs.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to cover our sneezes with our elbow or a tissue?
2. How do you think others might feel if we don’t cover our sneezes?
3. What can we do after sneezing to make sure we aren’t spreading germs?
4. How can practicing good hygiene help us in our relationships with our classmates and friends?
5. Can you think of other ways to prevent the spread of germs in the classroom?

Related Skills

Beyond covering sneezes, there are several other relevant skills that can be taught to PreK students to promote social-emotional development and a healthy learning environment. These skills include:

• Handwashing: Teach students the proper technique for washing their hands, emphasizing the importance of using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Using tissues: Encourage students to use tissues when they have a runny nose and to dispose of them properly in a trash can.
• Not sharing personal items: Explain that sharing items like water bottles, hats, or combs can spread germs and that it’s best to keep personal items to oneself.
• Respecting personal space: Teach students to be mindful of others’ personal space and to avoid touching others without permission.

Next Steps

By teaching PreK students the importance of covering their sneezes and practicing good hygiene, we can foster a healthy and respectful learning environment that promotes social-emotional growth. To help you further incorporate these lessons into your classroom, we invite you to sign up for free samples of our skill-based materials. Explore a variety of resources that can help you teach young learners about proper hygiene, effective communication, and other essential social-emotional skills.