Teeth and Sun Care wellbeing lesson plan
A primary wellbeing lesson for Years 1 and 2 that helps Australian teachers introduce the fundamentals of teeth and skin care through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students learn simple daily habits for looking after their teeth and protecting their skin, including brushing routines and sun safety basics. The lesson gives teachers a calm, practical way to talk about everyday self-care, helping students build confidence in healthy routines without judgment about family circumstances or personal differences.
Physical Wellbeing & Healthy Living
Snapshot
Teeth and Sun Care
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce everyday teeth and skin care routines using simple, age-appropriate language.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Building daily habits for teeth and skin care
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 everyday habits that help keep teeth and skin healthy
identify simple examples of teeth and skin care, such as brushing or sun protection
recognise that families may have different daily care routines
Understand
understand why brushing teeth and protecting skin from the sun are part of daily self-care
understand that healthy habits are built through small, regular choices
Practise
practise describing a simple teeth or skin care routine
practise identifying situations where sun protection, such as a hat or shade, is useful
practise using respectful language when talking about different family routines
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for younger primary students in Years 1 and 2 who are beginning to learn about daily self-care routines for their teeth and skin.
It is suitable for:
primary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or class discussion time
healthy habits or personal care units
whole-class health literacy activities
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 healthy daily habits Use when students are building early understanding of self-care routines such as brushing teeth or protecting skin.
Building on a Health or PDHPE unit Use when reinforcing classroom learning about personal hygiene and healthy lifestyles.
Preparing students for outdoor play and sun exposure Use when students need practical reminders about sun protection before outdoor activities.
Reinforcing everyday self-care routines Use when revisiting expectations around brushing teeth, wearing hats or using sunscreen.
Supporting a whole-school healthy habits focus Use when the school is running a broader focus on healthy living or personal care.
Creating a structured wellbeing discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led discussion about everyday health choices.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Young students are building the daily habits that will support their health for years to come, and routines like brushing teeth and protecting skin from the sun are easiest to establish early. Teaching these habits proactively, rather than only responding to a missed routine or a sunburn, helps students understand why small, consistent choices matter. This lesson supports a practical, body-respectful approach to self-care, helping students feel confident about looking after their teeth and skin without judgment about differences in family routines or access to care.
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 skills Students learn simple, repeatable routines for teeth and skin care.
Body awareness Students notice how daily habits affect their teeth and skin.
Health literacy Students build early language for describing healthy choices.
Personal responsibility Students practise taking an active role in their own care routines.
Daily routine building Students connect small, regular habits to longer term health.
Respect for difference Students recognise that families may approach daily care differently.
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 that families may have different routines for teeth and skin care
Frame the discussion around general habits rather than personal or family specifics
Prepare simple, everyday examples of teeth and skin care that students can relate to
During delivery
Use everyday examples such as brushing teeth or wearing a hat outside
Avoid language that judges appearance, weight or family choices
Give students time to share ideas without naming classmates or personal details
Keep the tone practical and encouraging rather than corrective
Supporting safe discussion
Use general examples rather than personal disclosures
Remind students not to share other people's routines or comment on classmates' appearance
Focus on shared habits rather than individual differences
Adaptation options
Use drawing or simple sequencing activities for younger or less confident groups
Extend discussion with questions about why habits matter for older Year 2 students
Adjust examples to reflect local conditions, such as sun exposure or seasonal routines
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
