Viruses and bacteria are easily spread by hand contact, whether you are touching surfaces, objects or other people. One of the best ways to prevent illness and the spread of germs is by frequently washing your hands. Teach your child about handwashing early on so that he can help prevent illness and infection on his own.
Talk about Timing
Talk to your child about when she should be washing her hands. Make sure she understands that she should wash her hands before and after eating, using the bathroom, blowing her nose, touching pets or animals or when her hands are visibly dirty. Your young child should also learn to wash her hands upon arrival and before leaving her daycare facility.
Handwashing Reminders
Make a poster or sign to hang on your bathroom door or wall. The sign should be at your child's eye level and should remind him to wash his hands before leaving the bathroom. Keep a small step stool near the sink so that small children can step up and easily wash their hands without reaching. Children should be able to reach the sink, the soap, and paper towels without reaching or stretching.
Singing Happy Birthday
Make sure your children understand that in order to properly clean their hands they must wash for a specific length of time. One way to make handwashing fun is by singing "Happy Birthday" two times. Children often enjoy singing and the length of time it takes to sing the song twice will ensure your child has washed her hands for an acceptable length of time. Singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" works as well.
Talk about Hand Sanitizers
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are used as an alternative for hand cleansing when soap and water is not available and are safe for children to use. Teach your child to squirt the sanitizer into his hands and rub it into his skin just like he would if he were washing with soap. Make sure his hands have been dried before he touches anything.
Offer Incentives
Children often respond to positive reinforcement while learning new habits. Try placing a chart on your refrigerator or in your bathroom so that your child can mark each time he washes his hands. Offer a special treat, like a sticker or a small toy, daily or weekly if your child washes his hands properly. Your child may become excited enough to wash his hands without you having to ask.
