PL 4.05Brushing Teeth
The child puts a pea-sized dot of toothpaste on their own brush, brushes every surface of the teeth in order, spits, and puts the brush away.
Presentation
Search videos (opens YouTube in a new tab)- 1
Invite the child to the sink with their own toothbrush and cup.
- 2
Wet the brush. Squeeze a pea-sized dot of toothpaste onto the bristles and show how small it is.
- 3
Look in the mirror and turn over the sand timer.
- 4
Brush the outside of the top teeth in small circles, from one side to the other, then the bottom teeth.
- 5
Brush the inside surfaces, then the chewing tops with short back-and-forth strokes.
- 6
Spit into the sink. Rinse the brush under the tap and stand it in its holder, bristles up.
- 7
Wipe your mouth and the sink edge with the towel.
- 8
Invite the child to brush while you watch the timer together.
What catches the child’s eye
- A pea-sized dot of toothpaste on the bristles
- Sand running through the timer
- Foam in the mirror
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Brush after lunch as a daily routine
- Show a younger child the steps on a doll's teeth or a tooth model
- Use a floss pick with adult help
Control of error
Sand still running shows brushing stopped early; food left on the teeth shows in the mirror.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Uses a pea-sized amount of toothpaste without reminders
- Brushes all surfaces until the timer runs out
- Rinses and stores the brush in its own place
Guide note
Each child uses only their own brush and cup; store brushes so the bristles do not touch. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for ages 3–6 and supervise so it is spat out, not swallowed. An adult brushes again afterward until about age 6.