How to Teach Kids Good Hand Washing Habits
Most children do not want to take time out from exploring the world to wash their hands. But there are creative and fun ways that you can use to entice your child to wash their hands.
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Things You'll Need
- Baby wipes
- Trial size hand soap ( child friendly)
- Poster board
- Markers
- Star stickers ( or whichever your child enjoys)
Instructions
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Explain to your child about germs and how good hand washing habits will help keep them from getting sick. Say that germs are little bugs that you cannot see but they can make you sick unless we wash them away. The germs are everywhere, even in our own home.
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2
After explaining why we need to wash our hands, make a good hygiene chart with posterboard. Make a box for each day of the week and if your child showed good hygiene by washing their hands, let them place a gold star on the chart. You can use this chart for other things as well, such as oral and body hygene. Give an incentive when they get so many stars, or if they go a whole week with all gold stars let them have a reward. It does not have to be a toy or candy; t can be something like staying up 15 minutes later at bedtime or skipping a chore.
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3
Put a trial size of hand wash in your child's backpack. Let them pick it out and tell them where it is. That way even at school your child will be excited about washing their hands. They can show their own soap to the other kids.
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Keep a pack of baby wipes in your car or purse at all times. These are great for quick clean ups and hand wiping.
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Keep hand soap in all bathrooms and by all sinks. If the soap is there, it will help remind them to wash hands.
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Tips & Warnings
You can get creative with your child washing the "bugs" down the drain. Buy a little magnifying glass and have them watch while rinsing their hands. There are a lot of ways to have fun with this idea.
Overuse of antibacterial washes can break down the natural "good" bacteria on your hands. Some studies are showing these results so decide if you want to use those or good old fashioned soap.
