How to Teach Toddlers Hand Washing

Video Transcript

"Hi, my name is Veronica Baragas, and I'm with my wiggles and giggles.com, and I'm going to share with you how to teach your child how to hand wash. This is something that you can start putting into effect at a early age and basically, by leading by example. You can start with, first off, when you're changing your baby, I hope that you're in the habit of, already, washing your hands after every change. But what you can do with your toddler, or with your infant, is gently wash their hands down with a wipe, or a wash cloth of some sort, and gradually, as they get older, and their able to reach over the faucet, and if you can hold them up, and show them little by little, eventually, you can get to a step stool. But, I think, the most effective way is, by not only telling them, but showing them as well. Showing them that you wash your hands after every diaper change, or before meals, or after coming in from outside. And so leading by example is the most effective way, I believe, along with showing them, step by step, and consistently helping them with their hand washing, and also, just talking to them about the benefits of keeping clean and not spreading germs. So, just a few ways of helping them, to teach them, how to wash their hands."