PRIMARY 1: HOME ECONOMICS – FIRST TERM | WEEK SIX

TOPIC: CARE OF THE HANDS AND FEET

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

1. Large pictures of the hands and feet.
2. Soap.
3. Clean water.
4. Clean towel.
5. Small basin.
6. Soft nail brush where available.
7. Pictures showing clean and dirty hands.
8. Pictures showing clean and dirty feet.
9. Pictures of clean socks and suitable footwear.

B: REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Primary 1 Home Economics Scheme of Work.
2. Recommended Home Economics textbook for Primary 1.
3. Online educational resources.

C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

Review the previous week’s Home Economics lesson.

The pupils have learnt how to care for different parts of the body. They know that the hands and feet should be kept clean. They can also identify body-care materials such as soap, clean water and towel.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

In this Primary 1 Home Economics lesson on CARE OF THE HANDS AND FEET, pupils will learn the main ideas through simple examples and activities.

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Identify the hands and feet.
2. Mention simple parts of the hands.
3. Mention simple parts of the feet.
4. Explain why the hands and feet need regular care.
5. State ways of caring for the hands.
6. State ways of caring for the fingernails.
7. State ways of caring for the feet.

E: CONTENT

Meaning of Care of the Hands and Feet

Care of the hands and feet means keeping our hands, fingers, nails, feet and toes clean, neat and safe.

We use our hands and feet every day.

The hands help us to do many things, while the feet help us to stand and move.

Because we use them often, they can easily become dirty.

THE HANDS

Most people have two hands.

Our hands help us to:

• Hold things.
• Write.
• Eat.
• Carry things.
• Wash.
• Clap.
• Draw.
• Play.
• Dress ourselves.

Parts of the Hand

Some simple parts of the hand are:

1. Fingers.
2. Fingernails.
3. Palm.
4. Back of the hand.
5. Wrist.

The Fingers

Each hand normally has five digits. For Primary 1 pupils, they may simply be called:

• Thumb.
• First finger.
• Middle finger.
• Ring finger.
• Little finger.

The fingers help us hold and pick up objects.

The Fingernails

Fingernails are found at the ends of the fingers.

Dirt can collect around and under the fingernails.

The Palm

The palm is the inside surface of the hand.

Why Do Our Hands Become Dirty?

Our hands touch many things during the day.

For example:

• Desks.
• Books.
• Toys.
• Doors.
• Soil.
• Food.
• Sports equipment.
• Rubbish.

Dirt and germs may get onto the hands.

This is why the hands should be washed regularly.

Ways of Caring for the Hands

1. Wash the Hands Properly

We should wash our hands with:

• Soap.
• Clean water.

Proper handwashing helps remove dirt and germs from the hands.

Five Simple Handwashing Steps

1. Wet the hands.
2. Apply soap.
3. Rub the hands properly.
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. Dry the hands.

WET

 ↓

SOAP

 ↓

RUB

 ↓

RINSE

 ↓

DRY

How to Rub the Hands Properly

While washing, we should clean:

• The palms.
• The backs of the hands.
• Between the fingers.
• Around the thumbs.
• Around the fingernails.

The hands should be rubbed with soap for enough time to clean them well. CDC guidance recommends scrubbing for about 20 seconds.

For young pupils, the teacher may use a short classroom counting activity while they wash.

When Should We Wash Our Hands?

We should wash our hands:

1. Before eating.
2. After using the toilet.
3. After playing outside.
4. After touching rubbish.
5. After coughing or sneezing into the hands.
6. After blowing the nose.
7. Whenever the hands are visibly dirty.

These are important times because germs can spread from dirty hands to the mouth, nose, eyes, food and other people.

Care of the Fingernails

The fingernails should be kept clean.

Ways of Caring for Fingernails

We should:

1. Wash around and under the nails.
2. Keep them reasonably short.
3. Allow an adult to help with nail cutting where necessary.
4. Avoid biting the nails.
5. Avoid scratching people with the nails.
6. Keep nail-cutting tools safely away when not in use.

Why Should Nails Be Clean?

Dirt may collect under dirty fingernails.

If a pupil eats with dirty hands, dirt and germs may get into the mouth.

What We Should Not Do With Our Hands

We should not:

• Bite dirty nails.
• Put dirty fingers into the mouth.
• Poke another person’s eyes.
• Hit others.
• Touch hot objects without adult guidance.
• Play with broken glass.
• Play carelessly with sharp objects.

Hands should be used carefully.

THE FEET

Most people have two feet.

The feet help us to:

• Stand.
• Walk.
• Run.
• Jump.
• Balance.
• Move from one place to another.

Parts of the Foot

Simple parts of the foot include:

1. Toes.
2. Toenails.
3. Sole.
4. Heel.
5. Top of the foot.

Toes

Toes are found at the front of the foot.

Toenails

Toenails are found at the ends of the toes.

Sole

The sole is the bottom surface of the foot.

Heel

The heel is the back lower part of the foot.

Why Do the Feet Become Dirty?

Our feet may become dirty because they:

• Touch the ground.
• Sweat inside shoes.
• Collect dust.
• Become muddy during play.
• Stay inside socks and footwear for many hours.

Feet therefore need regular cleaning.

Ways of Caring for the Feet

1. Wash the Feet

The feet should be washed with:

• Soap.
• Clean water.

When washing the feet, clean:

• The top.
• The sole.
• The heel.
• Around the toes.
• Between the toes.

2. Dry the Feet Properly

After washing, dry the feet with a clean towel.

Pay attention to the spaces between the toes.

We should not wear socks and shoes while the feet are still very wet.

3. Keep Toenails Clean

Toenails should be kept:

• Clean.
• Neat.
• Reasonably short.

A responsible adult should help young children cut their toenails when necessary.

Children should not use sharp nail-cutting tools carelessly.

4. Wear Clean Socks

Where socks are worn, they should be clean.

Dirty or sweaty socks should be changed.

Clean socks help keep the feet comfortable inside shoes.

5. Wear Suitable Footwear

Examples of footwear include:

• Shoes.
• Sandals.
• Slippers.

Footwear helps protect the feet from:

• Dirt.
• Sharp objects.
• Rough ground.
• Hot surfaces.

Footwear should fit properly.

Shoes that are much too tight may make the feet uncomfortable.

Protecting the Feet

We should be careful where we walk.

Do not deliberately walk barefoot over:

• Broken glass.
• Sharp stones.
• Nails.
• Very hot ground.
• Dirty rubbish.

If a child gets a cut or injury on the foot, a responsible adult should be told.

Hands and Feet Compared

Hands	Feet
Used for holding	Used for standing
Used for writing	Used for walking
Have fingers	Have toes
Have fingernails	Have toenails
Should be washed	Should be washed
Should be kept safe	Should be kept safe

Materials Used for Caring for Hands and Feet

Material	Use
Soap	Helps wash away dirt
Clean water	Used for washing and rinsing
Clean towel	Used for drying
Basin	May hold clean water where necessary
Soft nail brush	May help clean around nails
Clean socks	Help keep feet comfortable
Suitable footwear	Protects the feet

Good Hand-Care Habits

Good habits include:

1. Washing hands before eating.
2. Washing hands after using the toilet.
3. Keeping fingernails clean.
4. Drying hands after washing.
5. Keeping sharp objects away.
6. Using clean personal-care materials.

Poor Hand-Care Habits

Poor habits include:

• Eating with dirty hands.
• Biting dirty fingernails.
• Leaving dirt under the nails.
• Refusing to wash after toilet use.
• Playing with dangerous sharp objects.
• Using the hands to hurt others.

Good Foot-Care Habits

Good habits include:

1. Washing the feet.
2. Cleaning between the toes.
3. Drying the feet properly.
4. Keeping toenails clean.
5. Wearing clean socks.
6. Wearing suitable footwear.

Poor Foot-Care Habits

Poor habits include:

• Leaving muddy feet unwashed.
• Wearing dirty socks for too long.
• Leaving the spaces between the toes dirty.
• Walking carelessly around sharp objects.
• Keeping toenails very dirty.
• Wearing very uncomfortable footwear.

VISUAL TO INSERT: A two-column classroom poster titled Good Care of Hands and Feet and Poor Care of Hands and Feet, using green ticks and red crosses.

Simple Daily Routine for the Hands and Feet

Morning

• Wash the body.
• Wash the hands and feet.
• Dry properly.
• Wear clean clothes.
• Wear clean socks and footwear where needed.

During the Day

• Wash hands before eating.
• Wash hands after toilet use.
• Avoid unsafe objects.
• Keep footwear on where protection is needed.

After Outdoor Play

• Wash dirty hands.
• Wash muddy feet if necessary.
• Clean around nails.
• Dry properly.

Classroom Practical: Washing Hands

The teacher provides:

• Soap.
• Clean water.
• Basin or washing point.
• Clean drying material where appropriate.

The teacher demonstrates:

1. Wet the hands.
2. Apply soap.
3. Rub palms.
4. Rub the backs of the hands.
5. Rub between the fingers.
6. Clean around the nails.
7. Rinse properly.
8. Dry.

Pupils repeat the actions under supervision.

Classroom Demonstration: Care of the Feet

A picture, model or safe demonstration may be used.

The teacher shows pupils how to:

1. Wash the foot.
2. Clean around and between the toes.
3. Rinse.
4. Dry properly.
5. Put on a clean sock.
6. Wear suitable footwear.

Pupils should not be required to remove footwear if the classroom setting does not make the activity suitable.

Sorting Activity: Hands or Feet?

The teacher displays picture cards.

Pupils place them under HANDS or FEET.

Examples:

• Fingers — Hands.
• Toes — Feet.
• Fingernails — Hands.
• Toenails — Feet.
• Palm — Hands.
• Sole — Feet.
• Heel — Feet.

Good Habit or Poor Habit?

The teacher reads an action.

Pupils say whether it is a good habit or poor habit.

Washing hands before eating

Good habit.

Biting dirty nails

Poor habit.

Washing between the toes

Good habit.

Walking over broken glass

Poor habit.

Wearing clean socks

Good habit.

Eating with dirty hands

Poor habit.

Simple Hands-and-Feet Rule

HANDS

Wash them

Keep nails clean

Use them safely

FEET

Wash them

Dry them

Protect them

Remember

Clean hands help us handle food and objects safely.

Clean and protected feet help us move comfortably.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

1. Revises the care of different body parts from Week Five.
2. Introduces the topic Care of the Hands and Feet.
3. Displays pictures of the hands and feet.
4. Identifies fingers, fingernails, palm and wrist.
5. Identifies toes, toenails, sole and heel.
6. Discusses reasons the hands become dirty.
7. Demonstrates proper handwashing.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

1. Recall ways of caring for different body parts.
2. Identify their hands and feet.
3. Point to their fingers and fingernails.
4. Identify the palm.
5. Point to their toes.
6. Identify the heel and sole from a picture.
7. Demonstrate the handwashing movements.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises the main parts of the hands and feet.

Pupils are reminded that the hands should be washed regularly with soap and clean water, especially before eating and after using the toilet. The fingernails should also be kept clean.

The feet should be washed, cleaned between the toes, dried properly and protected with suitable footwear.

The teacher reminds pupils that clean hands and feet are an important part of good personal hygiene.

Continue with the next week’s Home Economics lesson.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

1. Mention three parts of the hand.
2. Mention three parts of the foot.
3. What is the inside surface of the hand called?
4. What is the bottom of the foot called?
5. Mention two things we use our hands for.
6. Mention two things we use our feet for.
7. What materials are used for washing the hands?
8. Mention five simple steps for washing the hands.

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