Kids can sometimes be careless when it comes to hand hygiene – but right now, it’s more important than ever that we teach them why it’s important. Good hygiene can be taught at kindy or at home, but the real trick is in making it interesting! Luckily for parents, there are a few ways you can keep your children engaged and actually help them to remember and apply what it is you’re teaching. Here’s what you’ll need to know. 

Hand Washing Basics

If your children are young, you’ll need to start by giving a practical lesson on how to wash their hands thoroughly, and not just wet them with water. Here are the steps for it.

1. Wet your hands with clean water.
2. Apply antibacterial soap and rub your hands together to lather up at least 20 seconds – try teaching them with a song that lasts for about the same amount of time – like the “Happy Birthday” song which typically lasts 20 seconds when sung out loud twice!
3. Clean in between fingers, under the nails and up to the wrist.
4. Wash away the soap completely with clean water, and use disposable paper towels where possible. 

Hand Washing Games

To really drive home the meaning, you can try explaining the importance with a game. One of the most important things you’ll need to explain to your child is the spread of germs – and you can do this by showing them how germs can live on hands and the things they touch. Pretend to sneeze, and when you do, cover your hands in a washable paint. Then go about your business, touching things around the room. The kids will see the transfer of germs. After the exercise, have the kids find and tally all the surfaces where germs now live from your transferring them around the room!

Some children may still only rinse their hands quickly under water, and you’ll need to form a habit. As we know, their hands should be scrubbed with an antibacterial soap for at least 15 to 20 seconds – but younger children may still find difficulty with the concept of taking their time. An easy way to make this fun and memorable is to sprinkle glitter on your child’s hands and challenge them to wash the glitter off with soap and water. Because glitter is naturally sticky, it will take up to 30 seconds to scrub the glitter away. Then indicate that your child should scrub off germs like he did the glitter each time that he washes! 

At Cubby Care, you can rest easy knowing we’re doing everything we can to keep your children safe and clean, according to standards recommended by The World Health Organisation. You can count on Cubby Care to be the kindest kind of kindy – it’s what sets us apart! Contact Us today and discover how you can give yourself peace of mind, knowing your child and family will be looked after at Cubby Care.