Germs Awareness Fun

Overview

This 30-minute interactive lesson for preschool students (ages 3-5) introduces the concept of germs in a sensory-friendly way, incorporating tactile materials and visual supports to engage diverse learners, including autistic and sensory-seeking children. The lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh Health and Physical Education learning area, integrating key competencies and inclusivity principles.

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand what germs are.
• Recognise how germs can spread and make us sick.
• Know why hygiene is important to keep germs away.

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Success Criteria

• Students can verbally or non-verbally explain that germs are tiny living things that can make people unwell.
• Students can demonstrate hygienic behaviours such as washing hands.
• Sensory learners will engage meaningfully with tactile 'germs' materials.
• Use visual prompts to support comprehension.

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Curriculum Links

Health and Physical Education Learning Area (NZ Curriculum Refresh) - Level 1 (Preschool/Year 0-2 approximated level):

• Understanding about personal health and physical development: Understanding everyday actions that help keep the body healthy (e.g., handwashing) and recognising the role of germs in illness.
• Supports Key Competencies: Managing self (hygiene routines), relating to others (sharing health practices), and thinking (understanding cause-effect about germs).
• The lesson embraces curriculum principles of inclusion, high expectations, and learning through connected experiences.

Inclusion & Differentiation:

• Sensory (tactile) materials represent germs for hands-on learning.
• Visual aids with simple, clear images support comprehension, especially for students with dyslexia.
• Communication supported with simple language and gestures.

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Resources

• Glitter (represents germs)
• Lotion or hand cream (to spread glitter)
• Paper towels, soap, water basin or access to tap for handwashing
• Visual aids: laminated pictures of "Germs", "Handwashing steps"
• Tactile materials: small sponges or squishy balls representing 'germs'
• Art supplies for extension: paper, glue, coloured paper, stickers (optional)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Show a simple picture of germs and say: "These are germs. They are tiny, tiny creatures we cannot see that can make us sick."
• Use clear, simple sentences and visual aids.
• Use tactile materials (e.g., a soft sponge "germ") to pass around so sensory learners can feel it.

2. Glitter Germ Experiment (15 minutes)

• Explain that the glitter on your hands is like germs.
• Put lotion or hand cream on one student’s hands and rub glitter over the lotion.
• Ask the student to shake hands or touch the hands of classmates.
• Show how the glitter (germs) spread to others’ hands.
• Let each child explore feeling the glitter on their own hands.
• Teach: "This is how germs move from one person to another."

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3. Handwashing Demonstration and Practice (5 minutes)

• Show the picture steps for handwashing.
• Model washing glitter off hands using soap and water.
• Encourage all students to wash their hands thoroughly to remove glitter.
• Reinforce: "Washing our hands helps to get rid of germs."

4. Reflection and Discussion (3 minutes)

• Ask students to say or show how they can stop germs from spreading (e.g., washing hands).
• Use thumbs up/down or picture cards for non-verbal responses.
• Reinforce the idea: "Germs are tiny and can make us sick, but we can keep clean to stay healthy."

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Differentiation Strategies

Learner Needs	Strategy
Sensory learners (including autistic students)	Use tactile 'germ' materials (sponges, glitter) for sensory engagement. Allow exploration at personal pace.
Non-verbal or limited speech	Use visual aids and enable non-verbal responses (gestures, picture cards).
Dyslexia-friendly	Use large, clear visuals with simple text and verbal explanation. Avoid jargon.
Attention difficulties	Keep activities brief and varied, include movement with handwashing.

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Extension Activity (Optional/Home Learning)

• Create a 'Germ Art Project': Children use glue and small coloured paper pieces or stickers to make art representing germs. Discuss different shapes and colours, reinforcing germs are invisible normally but can be imagined.
• For advanced learners: Introduce simple vocabulary like "bacteria" and "virus" with matching images.

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Assessment (Formative & Observational)

• Teacher observes student participation in the glitter experiment and handwashing activity.
• Listen for students’ ability to articulate what germs are or point to visuals when asked.
• Check engagement with tactile materials and support sensory processing needs.
• Use simple questioning to assess understanding, e.g., "Why do we wash hands?"

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Reflection Tips for Teachers

• Note individual responses and adapt future lessons to deepen understanding or offer more sensory supports.
• Reinforce hygiene routines consistently across daily activities.
• Share with whanau ways to support hygiene and germ awareness at home.

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This lesson plan models explicit, sensory-rich teaching aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh Health and Physical Education learning expectations and respects inclusive practice principles. It fosters foundational understanding of personal health hygiene tailored for preschool learners with diverse needs.

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If you would like, I can also generate a printable handout with visual supports and key vocabulary to aid teaching this lesson.