Here is an idea from a volunteer in Costa Rica. She used recycled materials to create a fun, educational module for children about the importance of dental hygiene. Though her placement was working with children, she did a great job incorporating public health into the lesson plan!
Activity/Idea name:
Caring for your teeth
Brief description of the placement where you work (please include ages, number of people, languages spoken, other etc):
This is a health and hygiene project that can be done at a daycare, orphanage, or school setting. It’s a fun project and can take a few days to complete! It should accompany a lesson plan for how to brush your teeth and floss!
Goal of the activity:
Teaching children how to care for their teeth!
Required resources:
- Egg Carton
- Cardboard
- Red/brown/pink (color of gums) and white paint
- String
- Scissors
- Paint brushes
- Paste/glue
Optional:
- Additional colors of paint for the tooth brush
- Real floss!
Step-by-step process:
Day 1:
- Cut egg cartons out so that the ‘egg cutouts’ are in individual cups.
- Cut cardboard into 2 large half circles. (These should be big enough that a few children can work with each- this half circle will become the ‘gums’)
- Paint the half circles red/pink/brown (color of your gums)
- Paste the egg carton cutouts on the half circles and paint white
- Using the remainder of the cardboard cut out and decorate 2 LARGE toothbrushes
Day 2:
- Talk about the importance of caring for your teeth. When to do it, how long, and flossing!
- Using the large tooth brush demonstrate how to brush the teeth.
- Repeat using the rope on how to properly floss.
- Allow each child to come up and practice brushing the teeth and flossing the big mouth
Day 3: (optional)
Have the children bring their tooth brushes/tooth paste/ and floss and have a Tooth Celebration Day!
If you don't have access to egg cartons, you can also use the bottoms of plastic bottles for a BIGGER mouth! They can be painted white, and they have the same nooks and crannies as teeth :)
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