This week, we are exploring how to take care of our teeth. The children were easily able to tell me that one way to take care of our teeth is to brush our teeth everyday. To get in a little tooth brushing practice, we had fun with tooth brush waterplay…
I set out toothpaste, toothbrushes, water, cups, and some big teeth! Well the teeth were simply a few egg cartons cut into sets of three but they looked pretty “teeth-like!”…
Before heading off to play with the toothbrushes and water, we talked about all the materials we would use today. Each child was given a tiny taste of the toothpaste on their fingertip. Not every child wanted a taste but we had some really sweet smelling breath from all those who did…
We talked about how the toothpaste and toothbrushes should only be used on our pretend teeth today so we don’t spread any germs…
We also talked about how to only add a little squeeze of toothpaste to the toothbrush and to put the lid back on the toothpaste when we are done. The children understood and did a wonderful job…
All of my students enjoyed the tooth brushing station and some of my students stayed at the tooth brushing station for a very long time…
Some of the children had been there so long that I asked them if they would like me to add some “juice” to their teeth for cleaning. This actually wasn’t necessary to make this a fun process but just to change it up a bit, I put a touch of purple paint on the teeth for those who wanted to brush off the “juice”…
Such a simple activity that gives wonderful opportunities to talk about teeth cleaning, brushing, rinsing, plaque, and the list goes on. Super fun too!
By the way, my students didn’t even consider trying to eat the toothpaste but it is a good idea to keep an eye on young children and don’t let them eat the toothpaste!
I have added this post Kreative Resources: Dental Health Linky!
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
Great way to teach toothbrushing! I need to collect my egg cartons now!
Leeanne A would like you to read..Bulletin Boards
What a fun and nonthreatening way to teach and practice brushing teeth!
Little Wonders’ Days would like you to read..Truffula Pencils and Silly Word List, Dr. Seuss Fun
Great idea! I am going to try this. Thanks for sharing.
Angela would like you to read..New Seventh Generation Diapers & The Lorax Review & Giveaway
Doing this today. Good use of the egg cartons
Kimira would like you to read..Water beads
Love this, what a brilliant idea! Adding egg cartons to my collection list:-)
Cathy@pre-schoolplay would like you to read..DIY Instruments / Sound-makers
What great timing – my girls went to the dentist last week and are REALLY into brushing their teeth.
I love the egg carton idea.
It is super simple and cheap:)
Deborah- THAT IS SUCH A SMART IDEA!!!! I only have egg boxes that are gray and made of cardboard. Those would make some ugly teeth.
tricia would like you to read..Play Food & Science: Did Humans Eat Ammonites?
Haha – yes, they would be quite ugly!
Love this! Great idea!!
Jess would like you to read..March Activities- Dr. Seuss
What a great, hands on oral hygiene lesson!! I had never thought to let my daughter play with a tube of toothpaste, and I love the idea. She needs practice squeezing the toothpaste so this would be good fine motor practice too. I am going to find some super cheap toothpaste now. =) I am sharing this on my Facebook Page.
Rebekah @ The Golden Gleam would like you to read..MUD!! – The Outdoor Play Party
Yes – great practice for daily living skills and fine motor development. Isn’t it cool how something so simple can be such a great learning tool?
This is such a great idea. I am definitely going ot do this with my little ones sometime in the future to help them learn about oral hygiene. It also just looks like fun!
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