Lesson 03 — My Body's Signals

Learners learn that the body sends signals — hunger, thirst, and tiredness — and practice noticing and naming each one in their own bodies.

D03 P2: Physical & Somatic Awareness D03.S1 45 minutes Draft

Objectives

D03.S1.01.02 Notice and name body signals such as hunger, thirst, and tiredness when they feel them.

Essential question

What is my body telling me?

signalhungerthirsttirednessnotice

Materials

Standard materials

Signal picture cards · 1 set Three cards — an empty growling tummy (hunger), a dry mouth (thirst), a yawning heavy-lidded face (tiredness)
A bell or shaker (optional) · 1 To show what a "signal" is — a sound that tells you something

Low-tech / no-cost

Your own body Feel and name each signal in your own body; no cards needed
Voice Describe each signal aloud ("tummy growling", "mouth dry", "eyes heavy")

Enriched / lab & device

Laminated signal cards · 1 set per pair Durable cards for repeated sorting and matching of hunger, thirst, tiredness
Tablet or camera · 1 per group Photograph learners acting out each signal to build a class "my body talks" poster

Works in different contexts

large-group Ring the bell to introduce "signal", then hold each card up high and describe the body feeling aloud for all to hear
self-directed A learner works through the three cards alone, feeling each signal in their body and naming a time they noticed it
outdoor-only Name the signals outdoors; notice how a full day of play can bring hunger, thirst, and tiredness, and check in on each
multi-age Older learners act out a signal while younger learners guess whether it is hunger, thirst, or tiredness

Three cards showing the body's signals — a growling tummy for hunger, a dry mouth for thirst, and a yawning heavy-lidded face for tiredness — with the note that a body signal is always okay to have

Lesson 3 — My Body’s Signals

Summary

Learners learn that their body talks to them through signals. They meet three big ones — hunger, thirst, and tiredness — feel where each one shows up, and practice noticing and naming the signal their own body is sending right now.

Objectives

Notice and name body signals such as hunger, thirst, and tiredness. (D03.S1.01.02)

Connection

Your body is always sending you little messages, like a bell that rings to get your attention. A growling tummy is your body saying “I need food”; a dry mouth says “I need water”; heavy, sleepy eyes say “I need rest.” When you learn to notice these messages, you can take good care of yourself.

Materials

Signal picture cards (hunger, thirst, tiredness)
A bell or shaker (optional)

Preparation

Print or draw three signal cards: hunger, thirst, tiredness.
Have the bell or shaker ready to show what a “signal” is.
Arrange a circle for gathering and the guessing game.

Facilitator note

This lesson is written to the learner (“you”) so it works in a classroom and for a self-directed learner. Prepare the cards and bell, then guide the body check and guessing game. Handle hunger and thirst with care: never assume what a learner has or has not eaten or drunk today, and never make a learner feel that noticing hunger or thirst is a problem. A body signal is always okay to have. If a learner names a signal, respond warmly and help them think about what to do next; if food or water is not available, help them name a trusted adult to tell.

Procedure

Gather (5 min). Sit comfortably and get very still. Put a hand on your tummy. Listen. Does your body feel quiet and settled, or is it trying to tell you something?
Meet three signals (15 min). A signal is a message your body sends. Meet three: hunger — a growling, empty tummy; thirst — a dry mouth and throat; tiredness — heavy eyelids, yawning, a slow, heavy body. Act out each signal with your face and body, and say where you feel it.
Guessing game (10 min). When you hear a body message, point to the card it matches: “Your tummy growls” — hunger. “Your mouth feels dry” — thirst. “Your eyes want to close” — tiredness.
Body check now (10 min). Close your eyes for a quiet moment. Which signal, if any, is your body sending right now? Name it to yourself, then share with a partner if you want. There is no right answer — noticing is the skill.
Close (5 min). Your body talks to you all day. Listening to it is a way of being kind to yourself.

Differentiation

Support: Introduce one signal at a time and act it out together before moving on.
Extension: Ask learners to name where in the body each signal lives (tummy, mouth, eyes) and draw it.

Assessment

Formative (observation): Can the learner match hunger, thirst, or tiredness to its body feeling and name one signal their own body is sending?

Resources

World Health Organization — global health and wellbeing reference: https://www.who.int/