Healthy Teeth – Circle Time Introduction Lesson
What you need:
Toothbrush
Poster or pictures of healthy teeth
Song printable: "The Dentist Says"
Learning Goals and Standards:
- Listening and Comprehension
- Oral Language Development
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Memory and Recall
- Social Participation
- Health and Self-Care Awareness
- Fine and Gross Motor Development
- Healthy Decision Making
Preparation:
Create Dentist Puppet
What you do:
Teacher:
"Boys and girls, today we are going to learn about something very important. It helps us eat our food, smile at our friends, and talk to each other."
(Bring out the dentist puppet.)
Puppet:
"Hello everyone! My name is Dr. Smiles, and I take care of teeth. I have a riddle for you!"
Riddle
Puppet:
"I am white and shiny.
I help you chew your food.
I help you smile.
You brush me every day.
What am I?"
(Allow children to guess.)
Children:
"Teeth!"
Puppet:
"That's right! Teeth help us eat, talk, and smile. We need to take good care of them every day."
Discussion Questions
• What do we use to brush our teeth?
• When do you brush your teeth?
• What foods help keep teeth healthy?
• Why is it important to brush our teeth?
Teacher:
"Our puppet friend is going to teach us a special song about taking care of our teeth."
The Dentist Says
(Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat)
The dentist says please brush your teeth
to have a healthy smile.
Up and down and up and down
Brush them twice a day.
The dentist says please floss your teeth
to have a healthy smile.
In between and back and forth
Floss them once a day.
The dentist says please eat good food
to have a healthy smile.
Carrots, apples, and crunchy food
clean your teeth all day.
Closing
Puppet:
"Wonderful singing! Remember my three healthy teeth rules:
Brush your teeth twice every day.
Floss your teeth every day.
Eat healthy foods to keep your smile strong.
Can everyone show me their biggest healthy smile?"
(Children smile.)
Puppet:
"Those are beautiful smiles! Keep taking care of your teeth every day!"
