Materials
country music (CD or tape)
CD or tape player
Instructions
1. A dental center helps children develop awareness of proper grooming. If
available, a small dressing table with a mirror is great to use in this center. If a
dressing table is not available, use small stand-up mirrors on a table.
Author's Note: I cut the legs off my table so it would be the proper height for
small chairs.
2. Write each child's name on a toothbrush and a plastic cup. Keep these on a
shelf out of reach of the children. A teacher or other adult can get them as
needed.
3. When children are ready to brush their teeth, give each child his own
toothbrush, cup, and basin on a small plastic tray. The children can fill their
cups with water and go to the center.
4. When a child enters the center, a teacher or aide places a small amount of
toothpaste on the child's toothbrush.
5. Encourage children to brush their teeth using a circular motion. They can
watch themselves in the mirror as they brush.
6. The children use the basin to spit out the toothpaste, rinse, and spit again.
Provide tissue for them to wipe their lips.
7. When finished, ask children to dip their toothbrush into the remaining water
in the cup and stir to rinse well. They can empty the water into the basin.
8. Each child carries his basin to the sink and empties it. Demonstrate how to
rinse the basin with clear water, return it to the tray, and wipe it with tissue.
9. The children give their trays to a teacher or other adult to put away. (You
need to rinse the toothbrush more thoroughly before returning it to the
shelf.)
10. This activity creates interest in caring for the teeth and an opportunity to
practice the proper way to brush.
