Healthy Bodies and Minds — Year 1 Lesson Plan
National Curriculum: PSHE/RSE — Health and wellbeing: the importance of taking care of their bodies; basic first aid; the importance of sleep (KS1 statutory guidance).
Overview
Pupils develop an understanding of what it means to be healthy in both body and mind. They explore the key ingredients of physical health — food, exercise, sleep and hygiene — and begin to understand the connection between how our bodies feel and how we feel emotionally. The lesson is practical, positive and celebratory of the many things pupils already do to keep themselves well.
Learning Objectives
- Identify what being healthy means for both body and mind.
- Understand why food, exercise, sleep and hygiene are important for health.
- Recognise the link between physical health and emotional wellbeing.
- Begin to make healthy choices and explain why those choices are good for them.
Key Vocabulary
Suggested Lesson Structure
Lead pupils through two minutes of energising movement — jumping jacks, stretching, balancing. Ask: how does your body feel right now? What happened inside when we moved? Introduce the lesson focus: what does it mean to have a healthy body and a healthy mind?
Introduce the four pillars of physical health using a simple graphic: food, exercise, sleep and hygiene. Discuss each one briefly: what it is, why it matters and what happens when we do not get enough. Use age-appropriate examples and ask pupils to share their own experiences (e.g. how they feel after a bad night's sleep).
In small groups, pupils sort food picture cards into a healthy plate — a balance of vegetables, fruit, protein, carbohydrates and dairy. Discuss that treats are fine sometimes but we need a variety of foods to stay healthy. Then share one question: what else do we need besides food? Draw out exercise, sleep and hygiene.
Pupils complete a 'my healthy day' timeline from morning to bedtime, drawing or writing healthy habits at different times of day: brushing teeth, eating breakfast, playing outside, washing hands, going to bed on time. Share with a partner and celebrate the healthy things they already do.
Ask: what is one thing you do already to keep your body healthy? What is one thing you could try to do more of? Each pupil shares one healthy habit they are proud of and one they would like to build. Close by connecting body and mind: when we look after our bodies, our minds feel better too.
Common Misconceptions
- Pupils sometimes think that healthy eating means never eating sweets or treats. Clarify that a balanced diet includes all kinds of food and that treats are fine in moderation — it is about overall balance, not rules about specific foods.
- Some pupils believe exercise means only sport. Broaden the concept to include walking, dancing, playing in the park and any activity that gets the body moving.
Prior Knowledge
Pupils should already be able to:
- Awareness of some foods and which might be better for us than others from early years.
- Experience of physical activity and basic hygiene routines such as handwashing.
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