Healthy Habits Basics

• List daily habits that keep the body healthy.
• Explain why hygiene prevents illness.
• Understand the importance of diet, exercise, and sleep.
• Recognise habits that harm health.

Level 1 - Getting started

Healthy habits are daily actions that keep our body fit and free from illness.

Level 2 - Building the idea

A balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, grains, and pulses gives our body the nutrients it needs. Washing hands before eating and after using the toilet stops germs from spreading.

Level 3 - Going deeper

Brushing teeth twice a day prevents tooth decay. Regular exercise or outdoor play keeps the body fit. Children need about 9 to 11 hours of sleep for the body and brain to rest and grow.

Level 4 - Indian context

Vaccination protects children from many serious diseases. Keeping surroundings clean prevents diseases spread by flies and mosquitoes. Covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing stops germs from spreading to others — an important habit at home and in school.

Plan a healthy day

Step 1 - List parts of a day: morning, school time, evening, night.
Step 2 - Add a healthy habit for each part.
Step 3 - Include diet, hygiene, exercise, and sleep.
Step 4 - Write the completed healthy-day plan.
Answer: Example: brush teeth and eat a balanced breakfast, wash hands before school lunch, play outdoors in the evening, sleep 9-11 hours at night.

Spot the unhealthy habit

Step 1 - List habits: eating fruits, not washing hands, sleeping late, brushing teeth.
Step 2 - Identify which habit can spread germs.
Step 3 - Suggest the correct healthy habit instead.
Step 4 - Write the fix.
Answer: Not washing hands is unhealthy; washing hands before eating stops germs from spreading.

• Name two foods that make up a balanced diet.
• Why should we wash our hands before eating?
• How many hours of sleep do children need?
• What does vaccination protect us from?
• Stretch: Make a one-week healthy habits chart with a diet, hygiene, exercise, and sleep goal for each day.

Revision tip: Four pillars of health to remember: balanced diet, cleanliness, exercise, and enough sleep.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Healthy Habits Basics.