Parents commonly repeat “Wash your hands!” to their kids. It is important to teach your child to wash their hands whenever possible during any situation in which they might not be completely clean, whether they are leaving the bathroom, coming in from outside, or what to expect at the dinner table. This article on kidsrush.com will tell you some useful tips to teach preschoolers about handwashing. Let’s start!
Overview
While it’s encouraging to know that conversations and headlines remain preoccupied with concerns about the Coronavirus (not to mention the seasonal flu), there’s still one big question that remains: Are kids washing their hands correctly?
In general, what do people think? Are your preschoolers even aware of what the right-hand washing method is? Even the basics need to be taught from time to time, but the basic things will always need to be taught eventually.
In addition, CDC recommends washing your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with clean, running water and soap, especially if you have access to warm water. A hand sanitizer made with alcohol can be substituted if clean water is not available, but these types of products don’t remove dirt or soil soap and water should be used instead.
Educating kids about proper handwashing is especially important. It is estimated that more than half of all virus infections are spread by hands, especially because we touch our mouths, noses, and eyes so often, causing the virus to enter our bodies. Children are close to one another at preschool and daycare, sharing snacks, toys, and everything else; thus, washing hands is very important for keeping them healthy.
Read Also: E Coli Infection in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Using these tips to teach hand washing To Your Kids
Avoid antibacterial soaps: The use of antibacterial soap is one of how resistance to antibiotics is spread. To avoid this, only use soaps that have been drain properly. (Bacteria have been detected on soap bars sitting in water.)
Make it fun: Choose funny soaps that smell like fruit or soaps with characters they like. There are dozens of types in every drugstore available in various colors and styles.
Make sure the sink is accessible: Make sure your preschooler has access to the faucet by purchasing a step stool so that the sink is within reach. Always keep soap within arm’s reach.
Scrub properly: Make sure to wash your fingers between the fingers, the top of the hand, and under the nails (instead of just your palms).
Talk about how (and how long): Whenever you have a young child with you, show them how to properly wash their hands in the bathroom (or kitchen). Mark the two types of water so he won’t be confused, and show him the difference between hot and cold. Review the technique and show him how much soap needs to be used and how to scrub it in (about a quarter if using liquid soap.) (Write in the temperature of the water.)
Talk about when: Even though your little one might not always realize when he or she should wash up, it makes sense to you to wash up before you eat, or after you use the bathroom. They need to know. Basic information must be taught at some point since it isn’t inherently known.
Talk about why: Children don’t always know what adults know. Provide a basic explanation of how hand-washing can help people stay healthy by removing germs. It could be a game you play with your children – send them on an “invisible germ hunt,” using soap as the only weapon they can use to rid their skin of the microbes.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers: If you don’t have dirt or debris on your hands, these can be used as a substitute for handwashing.
Wash your own hands: When adults lead by example, kids learn better. Your child learns the proper technique by watching you wash your hands and that the task is meaningful.
Children often don’t understand time, so you might choose to set a timer for 20 seconds or have them sing two times the alphabet song or Happy Birthday.