Page 13 - Healthy Habhit

- consider each of the options; Poetry
- think about the pros and cons of each; and
- summarise and record these on the thinking frame. Ask the children what a habit is.
Brainstorm some good habits and
Then, talk about the consequences (pros and cons) of each of the list these, for example washing
options. Explain that it is the importance of these consequences that hands before eating, playing
will shape their thinking and lead them to choose the best option. Next, games, getting enough sleep or
ask the children to share their thinking with the wider group. Encourage brushing teeth. Ask the children to
them to listen to the views, opinions and justifications of others. list some unhealthy/bad habits,

for example staying up too late,
Finally, ask the children to make the decision that they think is best for eating too much chocolate, or
Sam. As an extension role-play some of the solutions offered. watching television for prolonged
periods of time. Read the poem
A Bad Habit (Resource F). Use
Let’s Talk the following questions to

stimulate discussion:
Discuss how they might respond to some of the reasons people give – What did you think
for smoking: of the poem? Extension
- It makes me feel cool. – Is Mike happy about
- My friends smoke. his habit?
- It doesn’t do me any harm. – How do you know? Ask the children to try to
- I like to be one of the crowd. – Do you think it would be easy give up something that is
for Mike to break the habit? important to them for a
Ask the children to draw a picture of a ‘cool’, healthy person who lives – Who or what could help him? week, for example eating
life to the full. Do cigarettes feature? How? sweets or watching a
favourite T.V. programme.
If appropriate, refer to the results Ask them to keep a daily
from the smoking survey (Activity 2) record, and then review
and talk about how many people their experience the
find it difficult to give up smoking. following week.

11