Lesson Plan
Personal Hygiene Coaching Plan
Guide a 4th grade student through personalized hygiene strategies, set achievable self-care goals, and reflect on habits to foster lifelong healthy routines.
Developing personal hygiene skills early boosts confidence, health, and independence. Individual coaching empowers the student to take ownership of self-care and build sustainable habits.
Audience
4th Grade Student
Time
30 minutes
Approach
One-on-one guided discussion, goal setting, journaling, and reflection.
Materials
One-on-One Discussion Guide, My Hygiene Goals Journal, Self-Care Progress Rubric, Quiet, Private Coaching Space, and Pen or Pencil
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the One-on-One Discussion Guide
- Familiarize yourself with My Hygiene Goals Journal
- Study the Self-Care Progress Rubric
- Arrange a quiet, comfortable space for a private conversation
- Gather pens, pencils, and any visual hygiene aids you wish to use
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet the student warmly and explain the session’s purpose
- Discuss why personal hygiene matters for health and confidence
- Use opening prompts from the One-on-One Discussion Guide to engage the student
Step 2
Guided Coaching Discussion
10 minutes
- Ask about current hygiene routines and any challenges faced
- Use question prompts in the One-on-One Discussion Guide
- Listen actively and validate the student’s experiences
- Highlight simple strategies (handwashing techniques, daily brushing, etc.)
Step 3
Goal Setting Activity
7 minutes
- Introduce SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
- Collaborate to set 2–3 personal hygiene goals (e.g., ‘Brush teeth twice daily’)
- Record each goal in My Hygiene Goals Journal
- Confirm that the student understands and feels confident about each goal
Step 4
Reflection Journal Entry
5 minutes
- Prompt the student to reflect on their current habits and feelings
- Have the student write or draw reflections in My Hygiene Goals Journal
- Encourage honesty about what’s easy and what’s challenging
Step 5
Wrap-Up and Assessment
3 minutes
- Review the established goals and next steps
- Use the Self-Care Progress Rubric to rate the student’s confidence in achieving each goal
- Praise the student’s effort and schedule a follow-up check-in
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Script
One-on-One Discussion Guide
1. Greeting and Purpose (1 minute)
Teacher: Hi [Student Name]! Thank you for meeting with me today. We’re going to chat about your personal hygiene—what you already do, what you enjoy, and what might feel tricky. Then we’ll set some goals together to help you feel your best every day. How does that sound?
(If needed)
Teacher: Feel free to be honest—there are no wrong answers. This time is just for you.
2. Morning Routine Check-In (3 minutes)
Teacher: Can you walk me through what you do each morning after you wake up?
Follow-up Prompts:
- What do you do first—wash your face, brush your teeth, or something else?
- How long do you usually spend brushing your teeth?
3. Handwashing Conversation (3 minutes)
Teacher: Handwashing is a superpower against germs. Tell me about how and when you wash your hands.
Follow-up Prompts:
- Do you wash before you eat or after using the bathroom?
- Do you count to 20 seconds or sing a song while you wash?
4. Additional Hygiene Habits (3 minutes)
Teacher: Let’s talk about other routines, like bathing, hair care, and nail care. What do you do for those every day or week?
Follow-up Prompts:
- How often do you take a shower or bath?
- Is there anything you find tricky—like combing your hair or trimming your nails?
5. Identifying Challenges (2 minutes)
Teacher: Thanks for sharing! Are there any parts of your routine that feel difficult or that you sometimes forget to do?
Follow-up Prompts:
- What makes it hard to remember?
- How do you feel when you miss a step?
6. Student Strengths and Preferences (2 minutes)
Teacher: Now let’s focus on where you shine. Which parts of your routine do you feel proud of or enjoy the most?
Follow-up Prompts:
- What helps you remember those steps?
- How do you feel when you complete them?
7. Transition to Goal Setting (1 minute)
Teacher: Great work talking through your routine! Next, we’ll use this information to set 2–3 SMART goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Sound good?
Journal
My Hygiene Goals Journal
1. My SMART Goals
Write 2–3 personal hygiene goals you and your teacher set together. Use the space below each goal to plan why it matters, the steps you’ll take, and when you will do it.
Goal 1: ____________________________________________
Why I want to do this: _______________________________
Steps I will take: ___________________________________
Timeframe: _________________________________________
Goal 2: ____________________________________________
Why I want to do this: _______________________________
Steps I will take: ___________________________________
Timeframe: _________________________________________
(Optional) Goal 3: __________________________________
Why I want to do this: _______________________________
Steps I will take: ___________________________________
Timeframe: _________________________________________
2. Reflect on Your Habits
a. What part of your hygiene routine do you feel proud of? Why?
b. What part of your routine do you find challenging? Why?
3. How I Feel
Draw a picture or write about how you feel after you complete your hygiene routine each day.
4. My Progress Rating
Use the Self-Care Progress Rubric to rate your confidence for each goal (1 = I need help, 4 = I can do it on my own).
- Goal 1 confidence: ____ / 4
- Goal 2 confidence: ____ / 4
- Goal 3 confidence: ____ / 4
What can I try or change to feel more confident?
Rubric
Self-Care Progress Rubric
Use this rubric to rate your confidence for each hygiene goal. (1 = I need help, 4 = I can do it on my own)
| Level | Descriptor | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 1 = I need help | Requires full support | Student cannot complete the routine without adult assistance or prompts. |
| 2 = I can do it with guidance | Partial independence | Student completes parts of the routine but needs reminders or help for some steps. |
| 3 = I'm almost independent | Mostly independent | Student completes all steps correctly but may forget a detail or need an occasional prompt. |
| 4 = I can do it on my own | Fully independent | Student consistently completes the entire routine correctly and confidently. |