Hand Washing Activities for Kindergarten

The earlier you teach children the importance of hand washing, the better

Hand washing is an important part of promoting good health because it prevents the spread of germs and disease. Hand washing should happen often throughout the day, especially after using the restroom, before and after handling food and after coughing or sneezing, or cleaning up after a child or sick adult. Teaching kindergartners the importance of washing their hands helps they stay healthy and gives them a solid foundation in proper hygiene.

How Germs Spread

Use water to show kindergartners how germs spread.

Teach kindergarten-age children about washing their hands by sharing with them the reasons why it is so important. In order to drive home the idea that germs spread through contact, squirt water from a spray bottle on the children's hands. Have them immediately touch an object, such as a desk, table, chair, or wall. Point out that the object they touched has become damp with the water from their hands, just as germs on their hands spread when they touch something or someone else, or as their hands collect germs when they touch things. Discuss the fact that if someone else touches that spot, they might pick up the same water -- or germs. Remind children that washing their hands after they sneeze or cough will prevent the germs from spreading.

Create a Song

A 20-second song will help children to wash their hands long enough to kill germs.

To properly clean your hands, you must wash them for at least 20 seconds. Enforce this idea by teaching kindergartners a song to sing while they wash their hands. "Happy Birthday" works, as does "Frere Jacques" and "Top and bottom, top and bottom, in between, in between, rub them all together, rub them all together, you're all clean, squeaky clean." Another option is to sing "Wash, wash, wash your hands, wash them nice and clean. Wash them on the top, wash them on bottom, and fingers in between" to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." You also can brainstorm with the children, and come up with a song of your own.

The Importance of Soap

Soap is key in preventing the spread of germs.

To emphasize the importance of using soap, pour a little vegetable oil on the children's hands and have them try to wash it away using only water. After 20 seconds of hand washing, their hands will remain oily. Then have the children wash their hands with soap. This will remove the excess oil, driving home the idea that washing without soap is ineffective.

Color a Picture

Let children show what they learned by drawing about hand washing.

To round out your hand washing lesson, allow children to color a picture about the activity. Print out images from the internet or children washing their hands or pictures of germs. Or let children draw their own pictures, which will help you to see how they have processed information about hand washing.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Wash Your Hands
• Gol Germ: Hand Washing Lesson Plan Kindergarten
• Humming Educational Resources: Handwashing Curriculum

Resources

• Gol Germ: Hand Washing Lesson Plan Kindergarten