Keeping Germs Away wellbeing lesson plan
A primary wellbeing lesson for Years 1 to 2 that helps Australian teachers introduce hygiene, germs and simple health habits through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn how germs can spread, why staying clean matters and how to practise everyday hygiene habits such as handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes. The lesson gives teachers a calm, practical way to talk about staying healthy without turning it into a lecture on illness or risk.
Keeping Safe & First Aid
Snapshot
Keeping Germs Away
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce hygiene habits using simple, age-appropriate language.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Recognising how germs spread and practising simple hygiene habits
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
Recognise that germs can spread through touch, coughs, sneezes and shared items
Recognise everyday situations where hygiene habits matter, such as before eating or after using the toilet
Recognise early signs of feeling unwell that should be shared with an adult
Understand
Understand why washing hands helps stop germs from spreading
Understand that simple habits can help keep themselves and others healthy
Practise
Practise the steps for washing hands properly
Practise covering coughs and sneezes safely
Practise telling a trusted adult when they feel unwell
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for younger primary students in Years 1 to 2 who are learning early self care and health habits.
It is suitable for:
primary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or class routines
daily hygiene and self care practise
early physical health and wellbeing programs
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing hygiene routines Use when students are learning handwashing and other hygiene habits for the first time.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing shared expectations around staying clean and healthy at school.
Starting the school year or term Use when setting up routines around hygiene and health as part of early classroom habits.
Reinforcing existing routines Use when students need a refresher on handwashing, covering coughs or keeping personal items clean.
Supporting a Health or PDHPE unit Use when hygiene fits within a broader physical health, exercise or self care sequence.
Preparing for seasonal changes Use when illness such as colds tends to spread more easily and habits need reinforcing.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Students benefit from simple, practical routines for staying clean well before hygiene becomes a health concern. Early habits such as handwashing and covering coughs are easier to build when they are taught clearly and practised regularly. Keeping germs away is not only about avoiding illness. It also helps students understand that small, everyday actions can support their own health and the health of people around them. This lesson supports a classroom culture where hygiene habits feel normal and manageable, rather than something students only think about when they feel unwell.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Self care Students learn simple hygiene habits such as handwashing and covering coughs.
Health awareness Students recognise how germs spread and why hygiene routines matter.
Body awareness Students notice early signs of feeling unwell in themselves.
Personal responsibility Students practise habits that support their own health day to day.
Help seeking Students learn to tell a trusted adult when they feel unwell.
Social responsibility Students consider how their habits can affect the health of others.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates when talking about being unwell or unhygienic habits
Frame the discussion around habits and routines, not individual behaviour
Have handwashing or hygiene props ready if your school routinely uses them
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe
During delivery
Use simple examples such as coughing, sneezing and sharing food
Give students time to practise handwashing steps aloud or through movement at their desks
Reinforce that everyone can get germs sometimes, and that is normal
Keep the tone practical rather than focused on illness or fear
Supporting safe discussion
Reinforce that asking an adult for help when feeling unwell is responsible, not embarrassing
Use general examples rather than personal stories about being sick
Keep discussion respectful, without judging anyone's habits or health
Adaptation options
Use hands on practise for confident groups, such as demonstrating handwashing steps
Use drawing or partner discussion for quieter groups
Spend more time on identifying trusted adults if students need extra support with help seeking
