Chapter 6 — Happy and Healthy Living

Chapter 6 of the Class 4 The World Around Us NCERT textbook (Our Wondrous World), "Happy and Healthy Living", teaches children how food travels from farm to plate, how to eat mindfully, why physical activity and sleep matter, and how to recognise safe versus unsafe touch. Download the PDF and read our summary and Q&A to help your child prepare for class discussions and activities on balanced, joyful daily habits.

• Journey of the Grains — The chapter traces the long path a rice or wheat grain travels before it reaches our plate. Farmers, sellers, cattle, soil, water, and sunlight all play essential roles in this journey. Students are asked to identify which elements help the grain and to thank everyone involved — from earthworms to family members — for bringing food to the table.
• Mindful Eating — A classroom activity asks students to close their eyes, place a peanut on their palm, and experience it fully using touch, taste, and smell before swallowing. Mindful eating means paying attention to what we eat, chewing slowly, and focusing on each bite. The chapter explains that this helps us enjoy food better and make healthier choices.
• Physical Activity and Sleep — The chapter lists activities like running, jumping, cycling, skipping, and yoga as necessary for staying strong and energetic. Yoga, covered in the companion book 'Khel Yoga', improves posture and keeps us happy. Equal emphasis is placed on sleep — the chapter explains that without enough rest, it becomes hard to focus, and we feel tired and irritable.
• Feeling Safe and Safe Touch — The final section teaches children the difference between safe touch (comforting hugs from family that feel happy) and unsafe touch (contact that makes them feel scared, confused, or uncomfortable). Children are encouraged to say 'No' firmly to unsafe situations and immediately tell a trusted adult — a teacher or parent — without feeling guilty.

1. 01Food grains like rice and wheat go through a long journey from farm to plate, involving farmers, cattle, shopkeepers, soil, water, and sunlight.
2. 02Students connect food items to their ingredients and identify which elements (soil, water, farmer, earthworm) help a grain in its journey.
3. 03India celebrates gratitude to Mother Nature through festivals like Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Onam, Akshay Tritya, and Raja Utsav.
4. 04The mindful eating activity uses a peanut — students feel, taste, and chew it slowly with eyes closed to experience all senses.
5. 05Wasting food disrespects the hard work of everyone who helped bring it to our plate; the chapter has a week-long food record activity.
6. 06Regular physical activities — running, jumping, cycling, skipping, and yoga — are needed alongside good food to stay healthy and energetic.
7. 07A good night's sleep removes tiredness and helps children focus; without enough sleep they feel tired, sleepy, and irritable.
8. 08Children learn to identify safe touch versus unsafe touch, and are told it is always okay to say 'No' and tell a trusted adult.