Brushing Teeth

Objective

To teach children about oral hygiene and the importance of brushing teeth using interactive visual aids.

Estimated time to create the Learning Teaching Material for brushing teeth

1 to 1.5 hours

Materials required for creating the Learning Teaching Material for brushing teeth

  1. Cardboard sheets (for base and frame)
  2. Coloured paper or chart paper (pink, green, etc.)
  3. Printed images (before, during and after brushing teeth)
  4. Glue
  5. Scissors or cutter
  6. Ruler and pencil
  7. Bamboo stick (to hold the card)
  8. Black paint
  9. Labels or printed title (Self Help Skills)

Preparation for activity

Ensure all materials are kept ready before making the display frame and cards.

Procedure

  • Step 1: Prepare the outer frame. (Display slot)
  • Take two sturdy pieces of cardboard and cut them into squares or rectangles.
  • Cut a rectangular window or slot in the middle of one of the cardboard pieces, to create the display area.
  • Cover it with coloured paper (see the pink portion in the images).
  • Apply fevicol only on three edges of this slotted board and attach it to the other cardboard piece.  
  • Label the top of the frame with a printout of the title like, ‘Self Help Skills’ using bold font.
  • Step 2: Create the image cards (before, during and after brushing)
  • Print the images:
    • Before brushing: Yellow or unclean teeth.
    • For brushing the teeth: toothbrush, toothpaste, applying toothpaste and an image of a boy/girl brushing the teeth.
    • After brushing: Clean and shiny teeth.
  • Cover the images with a plastic sheet or laminate the images.
  • Mount each image using fevicol, on a slightly larger, coloured cardstock (like green) to make it look like a border.
  • Colour the bamboo stick with black paint. Attach the stick, to the bottom centre at the back of the card.
  • Step 3: Insert the Cards into the Frame
  • Slide the image card through the slot behind the display window.
  • Ensure it moves smoothly up and down to display before, during and after brushing the teeth images interactively.
  • Children can take turns pulling the card to know the process of brushing.

Step by Step Pictures to create the display board and cards

Important Tips

  1. Use high-quality, laminated images to make the LTM durable and cleanable.
  2. Make sure the sliding mechanism is easy enough for small children to use.
  3. Use large, bold visuals that are easily visible to the entire class.

Precautions

  1. Ensure there are no sharp edges on the cardboard or cutting area.
  2. Use non-toxic glue and materials that are safe for children.
  3. Supervise children while handling the slider mechanism to prevent tearing.

Troubleshooting:

Here are some common issues and solutions to ensure the display board works smoothly:

While Preparing the Display Board:

  1. The card doesn’t slide smoothly through the slot.
  2. Cardboard frame warps or bends.
    • Use double-layered cardboard or mount it on a stronger base like foam board or thick corrugated sheet.
  3. Images don’t align with the window properly.
    • Measure the window and image card precisely. 
    • Align the centre of the image with the display window before gluing the image to its backing.
  4. Handle (straw/stick) comes off.
    • Use strong adhesive (like hot glue or fabric glue) and press firmly. Reinforce with tape if needed.
  5. Images look blurry or fade.

While Using the Display Board in Class:

  1. Students struggle to use it.
    • Ensure the handle is long enough for little hands. Demonstrate its use before letting children try it.
  2. Frame tears due to frequent use.
    • Reinforce the window borders with transparent tape or laminated edges to increase durability.
  3. Children confuse ‘before’ and ‘after’ images.
    • Add small ‘before’ and ‘after’ tags on the images or use different coloured borders for each.
  4. Images detach from card base.
    • Re-stick with strong glue or laminate the entire card, for better adhesion and durability.
  5. Always keep an extra set of printed images or an extra card ready —especially during presentations or activity days.

Instructions to the Teacher Notes to the Teacher

  • Introduce the Learning Teaching Material with a small discussion on personal hygiene.
  • Begin by showing the ‘before’ image and ask the children what they observe.
  • After discussion, slide to reveal the ‘after’ image to demonstrate the impact of brushing.
  • Reinforce vocabulary: clean, dirty, germs, brushing, teeth, morning, night.

Using the Learning Teaching Material

  • Introduce the concept of brushing.
  • Show the ‘before’ picture first.
  • Then use the cards in sequential order for brushing the teeth.
  • Finally show the ‘after’ picture of clean and shiny teeth.
  • Discuss the importance of brushing twice a day.
  • Ask questions and encourage children to share their personal routines.

Video: How to use Learning Teaching Material

Source and Attribution of images
All images used in the above Assets and Aids are originally created.
This digital material has been developed by the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Inclusive Education Project, a unit of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, as a collaborative offering in the service of our nation.