It’s time to give those little chompers some love! February is Dental Health Month, which means it’s the perfect chance to teach your kindergarteners about their teeth. But why make it boring when you can make it a total blast? I’ve got some tooth-tastic ideas that are both fun and purposeful. So, what’s on your agenda for this month?
Are you trying to find ways to connect dental health to academics? It’s simple – add these exciting and interactive activities to your curriculum. Not only will they promote meaningful academic practice, but they’ll also keep your little learners engaged and interested.
Literacy
Start with a fun and interactive presentation about teeth and their functions. You can use pictures, diagrams, and even puppets to make it more engaging. (Label the Parts of a Tooth)
Add Dental Health Themed CVC Word Work cards to your pocket chart or sensory bin for a fun and engaging literacy practice activity.
Games
Play a game of “Guess the Food” where you show pictures of different kinds of food and your students have to guess whether it’s good or bad for their teeth. This will not only teach them about healthy eating habits but also about the effects of certain foods on their teeth.
Arts and Crafts
Create a “Tooth Fairy” craft activity where your kindergarteners can make their own tooth fairy using paper, glitter, and other craft materials. This will not only spark their creativity but also reinforce the importance of taking care of their teeth.
Math
Add Dental Health Tooth Subtraction Boom™ and Dental Health Tooth Addition Boom™ to your computer station for Dental themed math practice.
Science
Conduct science experiments to help your little learners understand the importance of dental health. For example, you can demonstrate the effects of sugary drinks on teeth by placing a hard-boiled egg in a glass of soda overnight.
Party
End the month with a dental health-themed party. You can serve healthy snacks like fruits and veggies, play dental health games, and even have a “Tooth Fairy” visit to give out toothbrushes and other dental goodies.
By incorporating these activities into your curriculum, you can make dental health fun and engaging for your kindergarteners. Not only will they learn valuable academic skills, but they’ll also develop healthy habits that will benefit them for years to come.
