A vibrant, age-appropriate 25-minute Red Ribbon Week lesson for Pre-K and Kindergarten students focused on healthy daily habits, trusting safe grown-ups, and caring for their growing bodies.
respecting their bodies
nourishing habits
strict medicine safety
Script 1 Introducing Red Ribbon Week
“Boys and girls, look at this bright red ribbon! This week, schools all across the country celebrate Red Ribbon Week. It means we are proud to take super good care of our bodies and minds! Who can tap their shoulders? Who can wiggle their toes? Your body is one of a kind, and you are the superhero who helps it stay healthy!”
Script 2 The Medicine & Unknown Items Rule
“Sometimes when we are sick, a doctor or our grown-up gives us medicine to help us heal. But remember our Superhero Rule: We NEVER touch pills, chewables, or strange drinks by ourselves, even if they look like candy! Only safe grown-ups give us medicine. If you ever see something on the floor or playground, what do we do? We freeze, don’t touch, and tell a teacher!”
Differentiation Strategies
Pre-K / Fine Motor Support: Pre-cut ribbon badges; students focus on coloring with red crayons and using dot markers.
Kindergarten Challenge: Invite students to write the initial letter or full name of their safe grown-up (e.g., “MOM”, “DAD”).
Multilingual Learners: Use exaggerated gestures (hand to heart, drinking water, washing hands) to bridge vocabulary.
SEL & Follow-Up Extensions
Kindness Compliment Train: At dismissal, each student whispers one kind compliment to a friend.
Hero Movement Break: Use 2 minutes for “Healthy Hero Stretches” during recess or afternoon carpet time.
Recommended Read-Aloud: Pair with The Pigeon Has to Go to School! or Germs Are Not for Sharing.
Home Connection Message (For Newsletter / Backpack)
“Today our class celebrated Red Ribbon Week by becoming Healthy Red Ribbon Heroes! We talked about eating colorful foods, getting sleep, moving our bodies, and identifying trusted safe adults at home and school. Ask your child to show you their Hero Badge and name the safe grown-ups in their life!”
Healthy Red Ribbon Heroes • Instructional Guide Page 2 of 2
