Teaching Toddlers Oral Hygiene: My Sparkly Smile Lesson Plan

Make dental health fun with this engaging 20-minute lesson plan for toddlers (ages 1–2). Features sensory activities, songs, and hands-on brushing practice to build positive oral hygiene habits.

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Lesson Plan: My Sparkly Smile

Lesson Overview

Theme: Teeth and Oral Hygiene

Target Age: 1–2 years old

Duration: 20–30 minutes (flexible for toddler attention spans)

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify "teeth" and "mouth" by pointing.
  • Mimic the physical motion of brushing.
  • Associate "brushing" with a positive, playful experience.

Materials Needed

  • A child-safe hand mirror
  • A large stuffed animal or doll with a visible mouth/teeth
  • A toddler-sized toothbrush (or a clean, soft-bristled training brush)
  • Laminated "Dirty Teeth" sheet (a drawing of a large mouth with white teeth)
  • Washable brown or green dry-erase marker
  • Small cup of water
  • Song: "Brush Your Teeth" (Raffi or Cocomelon version)

1. Introduction: The Hook (3 Minutes)

Activity: Mirror Play

Sit with the learner in front of a mirror. Make exaggerated happy faces.

Talking Points:

  • "Look at that big smile!"
  • "Can you show me your teeth? Peek-a-boo, teeth!"
  • "Point to your teeth. Click, click, click!"

2. Body: Content & Practice (15 Minutes)

Phase 1: I Do (Demonstration)

Use the stuffed animal and the toothbrush. Show the learner how the animal "brushes."

  • Action: Gently move the brush in circles on the toy's mouth.
  • Talking Points: "Teddy is brushing! Up and down, round and round. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Now Teddy has a sparkly smile!"

Phase 2: We Do (Guided Practice)

Give the learner their own toothbrush (no toothpaste needed yet, just water). Play the "Brush Your Teeth" song.

  • Action: Encourage the learner to brush their own teeth or the toy's teeth while the music plays. Model the behavior by "brushing" your own teeth with a separate brush.
  • Talking Points: "Can you brush like me? Scrub, scrub! Let's make them shine!"

Phase 3: You Do (Sensory Exploration)

This is the "Wash the Teeth" activity. Prepare the laminated sheet by drawing "germs" (dots) on the white teeth with a washable marker.

  • Action: Give the learner the toothbrush and a small cup of water. Show them how to dip the brush and scrub the "germs" off the laminated sheet until the teeth are white again.
  • Talking Points: "Oh no, the teeth are messy! Let's wash them. Rub the water on. Look! It’s going away! Good job washing!"

3. Conclusion: Recap & Success (5 Minutes)

Activity: The "Sparkle" Check

Return to the mirror for a final check.

  • Recap: "What did we do? We brushed our teeth! Are they sparkly? Let me see that smile!"
  • Reinforcement: Give a high-five or a "Sparkly Tooth" sticker to celebrate the effort.

Success Criteria

  • The learner identifies their teeth by pointing or smiling.
  • The learner attempts to hold the toothbrush and move it against a surface (their mouth, a toy, or the paper).
  • The learner engages with the sensory "cleaning" activity for at least 1–2 minutes.

Adaptability & Differentiation

  • For Younger Learners (12-15 months): Focus heavily on the mirror play and the "click-click" sound of teeth. They may just want to chew on the toothbrush; this is okay! It builds familiarity.
  • For Older Learners (18-24 months): Introduce the word "dentist." Ask them to identify "top teeth" and "bottom teeth."
  • Multi-Sensory Options: If the child is a tactile learner, use white LEGO bricks as "teeth" and have them "brush" playdough "food" out from between the bricks.

Assessment Methods

  • Formative: Observe if the child mimics the "scrubbing" motion during the "We Do" phase.
  • Summative: At the end of the lesson, ask "Where do we brush?" and see if the child gestures toward their mouth or the toy's mouth.

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