PRIMARY 1: HOME ECONOMICS – FIRST TERM | WEEK EIGHT

TOPIC: PROPER WAYS OF CARING FOR THE HANDS, FEET AND NAILS

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

1. Soap.
2. Clean water.
3. Basin or bowl.
4. Clean towel.
5. Soft nail brush where available.
6. Nail clipper for teacher demonstration only.
7. Clean socks.
8. Suitable shoes or sandals.
9. Pictures of clean and dirty hands.

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 why the hands and feet should be kept clean and when they should be washed. They know that hands should be washed before eating, after using the toilet, after outdoor play and whenever they are dirty.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

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

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

1. Mention proper ways of caring for the hands.
2. Demonstrate simple handwashing steps.
3. State proper ways of caring for the fingernails.
4. Explain why fingernails should be kept clean and reasonably short.
5. Mention proper ways of caring for the feet.
6. Demonstrate how the feet should be washed and dried.
7. State proper ways of caring for the toenails.

E: CONTENT

Meaning of Proper Care

Proper care means doing something in the correct and safe way.

Proper care of the hands, feet and nails means keeping them:

• Clean.
• Neat.
• Dry when necessary.
• Protected.
• Safe from injury.

The hands, feet and nails need regular care because we use them every day.

CARE OF THE HANDS

We use our hands for many activities.

We use them to:

• Eat.
• Write.
• Carry things.
• Play.
• Draw.
• Wash.
• Open and close things.
• Help with simple household activities.

Because the hands touch many things, they easily become dirty.

Proper Ways of Caring for the Hands

1. Wash the Hands with Soap and Clean Water

The best simple way to keep dirty hands clean is to wash them properly.

We need:

• Clean water.
• Soap.
• A clean drying material.

Simple Handwashing Steps

1. Wet the hands with clean water.
2. Apply soap.
3. Rub the hands properly.
4. Clean between the fingers.
5. Clean around the nails.
6. Rinse with clean water.
7. Dry the hands.

WET

 ↓

SOAP

 ↓

RUB

 ↓

RINSE

 ↓

DRY

Parts of the Hands That Must Be Washed

When washing, we should not clean only the palms.

We should wash:

• Palms.
• Backs of the hands.
• Fingers.
• Between the fingers.
• Thumbs.
• Around the fingernails.
• Wrists.

2. Wash Hands at Important Times

Proper care also means washing at the right time.

Wash the hands:

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

3. Dry the Hands Properly

After washing, the hands should be dried.

A clean towel may be used.

We should not wipe clean hands on:

• Dirty clothes.
• A dirty towel.
• A dirty surface.

4. Keep the Hands Safe

Caring for the hands also means protecting them.

We should not:

• Play with broken glass.
• Touch fire.
• Touch very hot pots.
• Play with knives.
• Put fingers into electrical sockets.
• Use our hands to hit other people.

A child should ask an adult for help when an activity involves something hot, sharp or dangerous.

CARE OF THE FINGERNAILS

Fingernails are found at the ends of our fingers.

They should be kept clean.

Dirt may collect under long or dirty nails.

Proper Ways of Caring for the Fingernails

1. Wash Around the Nails

When washing the hands, rub around the fingernails.

Clean water and soap help remove dirt.

A soft nail brush may be used where available and appropriate.

2. Keep Fingernails Reasonably Short

Very long nails may collect more dirt and may scratch people.

Young children should allow a responsible adult to help trim their nails when necessary.

A nail clipper may be used carefully by an adult.

VISUAL TO INSERT: Three pictures labelled Clean Short Nails, Long Nails and Dirty Nails, showing that clean, reasonably short nails are easier to keep neat.

3. Do Not Bite the Nails

Nail biting is not a good hygiene habit.

We should keep fingers away from the mouth when they are dirty.

4. Do Not Use Sharp Objects Under the Nails

Children should not use:

• Needles.
• Razor blades.
• Pins.
• Broken glass.
• Sharp sticks

to clean their nails.

These objects can cause injury.

Nail-Care Safety

Nail-cutting tools should be handled carefully.

For Primary 1 pupils:

• An adult should help with trimming where necessary.
• Pupils should not play with nail clippers.
• Pupils should not use razor blades to cut nails.
• Pupils should not use scissors carelessly around fingers or toes.

CARE OF THE FEET

The feet help us to:

• Stand.
• Walk.
• Run.
• Jump.
• Balance.

Our feet may collect:

• Dust.
• Mud.
• Sweat.
• Dirt.

They should therefore be cared for properly.

Proper Ways of Caring for the Feet

1. Wash the Feet Properly

Use:

• Clean water.
• Suitable soap.

Wash:

• The top of the feet.
• The soles.
• The heels.
• The toes.
• Between the toes.
• Around the toenails.

2. Clean Between the Toes

The spaces between the toes should not be forgotten.

They may hold:

• Sweat.
• Dirt.
• Moisture.

Gently wash between each toe.

3. Dry the Feet Properly

After washing:

1. Take a clean towel.
2. Dry the top of the feet.
3. Dry the soles.
4. Dry the heels.
5. Dry gently between the toes.

Do not leave the feet very wet before wearing socks or closed shoes.

4. Wear Clean Socks

Where socks are worn:

• Use clean socks.
• Change dirty or very sweaty socks.
• Allow washed socks to dry properly before wearing them.

Dirty socks should not be worn again and again without washing.

5. Wear Suitable Footwear

Footwear includes:

• Shoes.
• Sandals.
• Slippers.

Suitable footwear protects the feet from:

• Sharp objects.
• Rough ground.
• Dirt.
• Very hot surfaces.

Footwear should fit comfortably.

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

6. Keep Footwear Clean

Shoes and sandals should also be cared for.

We can:

1. Remove mud from them.
2. Keep them neatly.
3. Allow wet footwear to dry properly.
4. Avoid throwing shoes into dirty places.

CARE OF THE TOENAILS

Toenails are found at the ends of the toes.

They should also be kept clean and neat.

Proper Toenail Care

We should:

1. Wash around the toenails.
2. Remove visible dirt gently.
3. Keep toenails reasonably short.
4. Allow a responsible adult to help with trimming.
5. Avoid picking or cutting them with unsafe sharp objects.

Fingernails and Toenails

Fingernails	Toenails
Found on the fingers	Found on the toes
Should be kept clean	Should be kept clean
Should be reasonably short	Should be reasonably short
Should not be bitten	Should not be picked with sharp objects
Adult help may be needed for trimming	Adult help may be needed for trimming

Materials Used for Caring for Hands, Feet and Nails

Material	Use
Soap	Washing hands and feet
Clean water	Washing and rinsing
Towel	Drying hands and feet
Basin	Holding water where needed
Soft nail brush	Cleaning around nails where appropriate
Nail clipper	Trimming nails with adult help
Clean socks	Covering clean, dry feet
Suitable footwear	Protecting the feet

Correct Order for Caring for the Hands

WASH

  ↓

RINSE

  ↓

DRY

  ↓

KEEP NAILS CLEAN

Correct Order for Caring for the Feet

WASH

  ↓

CLEAN BETWEEN TOES

  ↓

RINSE

  ↓

DRY

  ↓

WEAR CLEAN SOCKS/FOOTWEAR

Good Care Habits

Good habits include:

• Washing hands with soap and clean water.
• Cleaning between the fingers.
• Keeping fingernails clean.
• Washing feet properly.
• Cleaning between the toes.
• Drying the feet.
• Keeping toenails clean.
• Wearing clean socks.
• Wearing suitable footwear.
• Asking an adult for help with nail trimming.

Poor Care Habits

Poor habits include:

• Eating with dirty hands.
• Leaving dirt under fingernails.
• Biting dirty nails.
• Leaving muddy feet unwashed.
• Wearing socks over very wet feet.
• Wearing very dirty socks.
• Playing with nail clippers.
• Using sharp objects to clean nails.
• Walking carelessly on broken glass.

Practical Activity 1: Proper Handwashing

The teacher provides soap and clean water.

The teacher demonstrates:

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

Pupils imitate the hand movements under supervision.

Practical Activity 2: Foot-Care Demonstration

Using a picture, doll, model or suitable demonstration, the teacher shows:

1. Wet the feet.
2. Apply soap.
3. Wash the feet gently.
4. Clean between the toes.
5. Rinse.
6. Dry properly.
7. Put on clean socks where appropriate.
8. Wear suitable footwear.

Practical Activity 3: Nail-Care Demonstration

The teacher displays:

• A nail clipper.
• A picture of clean nails.
• A picture of long or dirty nails.

The teacher explains that young pupils should ask an adult for help with trimming.

The teacher may demonstrate nail trimming on a model or artificial hand rather than on a pupil.

Which Material Do I Need?

I want to wash my hands.

Soap and clean water.

I want to dry my feet.

Clean towel.

I want to protect my feet outside.

Suitable footwear.

My fingernails need trimming.

Ask a responsible adult to use a nail clipper safely.

My socks are dirty.

Change them for clean socks.

Picture Activity: Right or Wrong?

The teacher shows pictures.

A child washing hands with soap.

Right.

A child biting dirty fingernails.

Wrong.

A child drying between the toes.

Right.

A child playing with a razor blade.

Wrong.

A child wearing clean socks.

Right.

A child walking on broken glass.

Wrong.

Sequence Activity

Pupils arrange picture cards in the correct order.

Hand Care

Wet → Soap → Rub → Rinse → Dry

Foot Care

Wash → Clean between toes → Rinse → Dry → Protect

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

1. Revises reasons for keeping hands and feet clean from Week Seven.
2. Introduces the meaning of proper care.
3. Displays materials used for hand, foot and nail care.
4. Demonstrates proper handwashing.
5. Points out all areas of the hands that should be cleaned.
6. Discusses proper care of the fingernails.
7. Explains safe nail trimming and the need for adult help.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

1. Recall reasons for keeping the hands and feet clean.
2. Identify materials used for care.
3. Demonstrate handwashing movements.
4. Point to parts of the hands that should be washed.
5. Mention ways of keeping fingernails clean.
6. State why sharp objects should not be used on nails.
7. Demonstrate foot-washing movements.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises the proper ways of caring for the hands, feet and nails.

Pupils are reminded to:

• Wash the hands properly.
• Dry the hands after washing.
• Keep fingernails clean.
• Wash the feet properly.
• Clean between the toes.
• Dry the feet well.
• Keep toenails clean.
• Wear clean socks and suitable footwear.
• Ask an adult for help when nails need trimming.
• Never play with sharp objects.

The teacher reminds pupils that good body care should be practised every day.

Continue with the next week’s Home Economics lesson.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

1. What does proper care mean?
2. Mention five ways of caring for the hands.
3. Mention the five simple steps of handwashing.
4. Name three parts of the hands that should be cleaned properly.
5. Why should fingernails be kept clean?
6. Should children bite their fingernails?
7. Who should help a young child trim difficult nails?
8. Mention two unsafe objects that should not be used for cleaning nails.

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