Getting kids to wash handsby Janet Sexauer |
| Awe ... what a cute little face. Awe ... what cute little hands. But nothing spreads germs faster then those cute little hands. Hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent germs from spreading and help keep kids from getting sick. But kids don't understand the importance of hand washing and/or don't want to take the time to do so. So how do you teach them to make it a habit? |
| Children need to understand the importance of hand washing. First, talk about it with them. Read books about germs and hand washing that are age appropriate. A book with pictures to help them visualize and the right words can help them see and understand. For young children, seeing a character in book washing hands encourages them to want to do it too Books on Handwashing/Germs |
| Small soaps, cute shaped soaps or soaps that have something on the inside encourage kids to wash because they like using the soap. The soaps with a sticker or toy hidden inside almost guarantees that they will wash. Kids want to get to that little gift on the inside of the soap Hygene/Soaps |
| Put a picture of a character that looks like a germ on the mirror (child's eye level), on the wall in front of the toilet or near the handle of the door so they will see the picture as a reminder. If you have a child that takes FOREVER in the bathroom, books about germs/hand washing might make good bathroom reading material! |
| Tell young children to sing Happy Birthday, say their ABC's, or set a timer when washing their hands. Remind them this will ensure they are washing long enough to make germs go away. If you don't hear them singing or a timer go off, it's a sign they may not have washed their hands! |
| Remind young children that hand washing makes germs disappear down the drain. Encourage them to wave bye-bye to the germs as they go down the drain |
| Remind older kids who have recently gotten over an illness, that they don't want to make their friends sick or get sick again themselves (and take a chance of missing a birthday party, sports event or holiday). One of the ways they may help prevent that from happening is by washing their hands. |
| Finally, like any other behavior you want to encourage.....PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE when you see them washing their hands! |