Grade 4 Home Science Healthy Practices – Play Notes

Play means having fun with games or toys. It helps your body, mind and friends. Play is part of staying healthy!

Why play is good

• Makes your body strong — you run, jump and move. ⚽️
• Helps your brain — you solve problems and make ideas.
• Teaches sharing and team work with friends.
• Makes you happy and reduces stress.

Kinds of play & examples

Fun Kenyan games you can try

• Bao (mancala) — play on a board or dug holes with seeds or stones.
• Skip rope — with songs and counting.
• Hide-and-seek (mchezo wa kujificha) — good for groups.
• Football/kicking a ball — play on a field or open space.

Play safely — simple rules

1. Play where it is safe — not on busy roads. Choose playgrounds or school fields.
2. Look both ways before crossing roads and only cross at safe places.
3. Wear shoes when the ground is sharp. Use a helmet when cycling.
4. Check the area for broken glass, sharp metal or holes before you run.
5. Tell an adult where you are playing and who you are with.
6. Stop play if you feel hurt, tired or very hot. Rest and drink water.

Make games from things at home

• Ball from old cloth: tie rags into a tight ball for kicking.
• Tire swing: ask an adult to fix a safe swing from an old tyre and rope.
• Hopscotch: draw squares with chalk on the ground.
• Board game: use stones and a dug board for bao.

Hygiene after play

Wash your hands and face with soap. Wash feet if they are dusty or wet. Put clean clothes on after heavy play. Treat cuts: wash with clean water and tell an adult.

Everyone can play

Make rules so all children can join. Use games that different children can try. Be kind and share.

• Provide a safe place and supervise younger children.
• Encourage different types of play: active, creative and quiet.
• Join children sometimes — play with them and teach safe rules.