🔬 ScienceGrade 3Lesson 29
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Germ Prevention and Hygiene

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Explain how germs spread from person to person
  • 2List four hygiene habits that prevent germ spread in the correct order
  • 3Describe why each hygiene step reduces the risk of illness
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Mini Lesson

Germs are tiny living things — bacteria, viruses, and fungi — that can cause illness. They spread easily through touch, coughs, sneezes, and contaminated surfaces. Good hygiene habits break the chain of infection and protect both you and the people around you.

How Germs Spread

  • Direct contact — touching an infected person or an object they have touched.
  • Airborne droplets — coughs and sneezes send tiny germ-filled droplets into the air.
  • Touching the face — germs on your hands can enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Being around sick people — staying near someone who is ill increases the chance of catching their germs.

Four Key Hygiene Habits

  1. Wash hands — use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after using the toilet. Soap breaks down germs and washes them away.
  2. Cover coughs and sneezes — use the inside of your elbow or a tissue to catch droplets. Throw the tissue away immediately and wash your hands.
  3. Avoid touching your face — your hands touch many surfaces throughout the day. Keeping hands away from the face stops germs from entering the body.
  4. Stay home if sick — resting at home prevents spreading illness to family and friends.
Germ Prevention StepsFour numbered steps shown as colored rows: 1 Wash Hands, 2 Cover Cough, 3 Avoid Touching Face, 4 Stay Home if Sick.Germ Prevention Steps1Wash HandsSoap + 20 seconds removes germs2Cover CoughUse elbow or tissue for droplets3Avoid Touching FaceHands carry germs to eyes/nose4Stay Home if SickProtects others from your germs
How Germs Spread and How to Stop ThemSplit diagram. Left panel shows how germs spread. Right panel shows how to stop them.Germs: Spread vs StopHow Germs Spread!Direct touchCoughs/sneezesDirty surfacesFace touchingHow to Stop ThemWash handsCover coughAvoid face touchStay home if sickGood hygiene breaks the chain of infection.
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Remember the four steps in order: wash hands, cover cough, avoid touching your face, stay home if sick. Doing all four together gives the best protection.

Vocabulary
Germ
A tiny living thing such as a bacterium or virus that can cause illnesse.g. Washing hands removes germs.
Hygiene
Practices that keep the body clean and prevent the spread of diseasee.g. Good hygiene includes brushing teeth and washing hands.
Infection
The entry and growth of germs inside the body, causing illnesse.g. A throat infection can be caused by bacteria.
Contagious
Able to spread from one person to anothere.g. Flu is contagious and spreads through droplets.
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← Lesson 28: Exercise and Fitness HabitsLesson 30: Importance of Sleep →