Fun ways and activities to teach young children how to wash hands effectively

The best way to teach anything to young children is by making it fun, making a game out of it - and by teaching and modelling what to do through your own behaviour

To make it kid friendly and fun try some of these...

	Have the hand washing area set up for comfort -- provide a child safe stool or low wash basin
	Have fun soaps
	Create an appealing environment through kid-friendly decor like Sponge Bob or Little Mermaid

 Make it into a game

	sing a fun song while washing to help mark the time, so they know just how long to wash (15-20 seconds)
	keep a hand washing chart and encourage them to see how many squares they can fill in  (encourage them... "Look what you did, wow!")
	have printable or homemade posters to hand, that show the proper steps for hand washing.  Make a game out of following each step.   You can approach it quiz style, "What do we do first? ....And what's Step Two?" use activities that involve handprints, washing off the paint shows how long and how much washing is needed to remove all the paint, it's fun too!

Teaching tips for good hygiene instruction

Learning principles to keep in mind

	young children are visual and kinetic learners, they learn best by also seeing and doing -- rather than just hearing
	have them watch you or another child wash hands, while you talk about what to do
	then have your child do it, while you again explain the basic steps

	remember to keep it fun and simple - don't try to cram in all the facts at once.  Just start with the basics, then add different pieces of information in later instalments
	small children learn best through repetition and reinforcement.  You can follow up your first lesson with: story books about germs and hand washing;
	looking at pictures of germs;

	making pictures or posters (collages are great for younger preschool children who can glue stick but not draw well); and
	by acting out little scenes about getting germs on your hands, hand washing, getting sick, etc
	Check your water temperature Remember to talk to children about the dangers of very hot water and to turn your water heater down!  It should never be higher than 120 degrees F.  Note that some sources say that 130 degrees F is safe enough, but as you can see below, the difference between 120 degrees F and temps nearer to 130 degrees F is huge, in terms of how much harm can be done to a child.  Furthermore, 120 degrees F should be more than sufficient to run your dishwasher and laundry

Modelling what to do-and when to do it

Small children are impressed by what we do (enjoy it while it lasts!), and all children learn as much from what we do than what we say.  So if you want to teach the importance of hand washing...wash your hands consistently at all appropriate times

Parents & carers should wash their hands:

	before preparing, serving, or eating food
	after caring for a sick child (blowing their noses or wiping eyes)
	after changing nappies

	after cleaning up a mess
	after helping a child with toileting
	after cleaning up spills after other cleaning activities

Kids can't always see what we do, so be sure to talk about it.  Tell a story about when you wash your hands-- about something mucky you touched and how you washed afterwards.  Or mention how you are going to need to go wash hands before helping prepare snack.  And don't forget to tattle on yourself once in a while, "Oops!  I almost forgot to go wash my hands first."  Sometimes sharing about mistakes you've made (in a funny and forgiving way) and talking about why you will do it differently is more effective than pretending you do the right thing all the time.  After all, who can relate to someone who's perfect!

Point out other hand washing role model, such as doctor, nurses, and dentists, as well as people who work in restaurants, etc.

Wash hands together!  Washing hands when the children wash up sends a stronger message than just telling them that they should do it.

Have a routine

Make hand washing a regular part of toileting, meal time, preparing food, nappy changing, etc.  This will help everyone remember because it will become second nature.  For example, when children arrive at school or get ready for lunch, they know that the first thing they must do is wash hands.

How to wash your hands properly

Procedure

	Use soap and running water. Warm to hot water is best
	Wet hands thoroughly and lather with soap
	Rub hands vigorously for at least 10-15 seconds as you wash them
	Pay attention to the backs of hands, wrists, between fingers, and under fingernails
	Rinse hands well under running water
	Dry hands with a disposable paper towel or a clean towel.  To minimise chapping (reddening, roughening or cracking of skin) of hands, pat dry rather than rub them. Electric hand driers may be used. If cloth towels are used, select a fresh towel each time, or if a roller towel is used, select a fresh portion of towel
	Turn off the tap with the used towel
	Use skin lotion, if necessary, to prevent dry cracked skin
	If you use skin lotion, it should be rinsed off before preparing or handling food

 

Resources:

NHS - Give Soap a Chance

Sammie Soap educational packs for parents and for schools