Hand washing is essential to keep yourself and others from getting sick. By teaching people from a young age how to wash their hands properly, they will grow up as healthier, more responsible adults. Take a closer look at how child care centers can teach young children how to wash their hands correctly.

5 Tips on Teaching Kids How to Wash Their Hands 

1. Tell Them Why It Matters

Explain to children how washing hands helps to prevent the spread of germs. If they link hand washing to caring for themselves and others’ overall health, then they will understand why they need to wash their hands properly.

2. Explain When to Wash Your Hands

Everyone should wash their hands after activities involving eating, touching one’s face, using the restroom, touching dirty items, or petting animals. Kids often get distracted, so gently but firmly remind them how important it is to wash their hands. Eventually, they will retain this information with repetition.

3. Make It Fun 

Kids love music, and it’s simple to incorporate it into hand washing. You can use 20-second songs, like the “Happy Birthday” song or “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” to make the activity more fun and engaging. Moreover, they will remember to wash their hands for the appropriate length of time at the child care center and elsewhere.

4. Set an Example

Do as you say and showcase how you wash your hands in between activities. If you lead by example, kids will emulate and learn how to wash their hands properly. 

5. Provide Alternatives 

Anticipate small children will often forget to wash their hands. Exercise patience and provide hand sanitizer throughout the child care center. You can explain to them how sanitizer can be used as another option when soap and water are not available.

Finding the right day care center to look after your little ones is crucial, and you can depend on Kids & Cribs Child Enrichment Center to meet your family’s needs. This family-owned and -operated child care center in Fort Thomas, KY, will make sure your children feel safe while keeping them engaged with age-appropriate developmental activities. To speak with a staff member about enrolling your child, call (859) 441-5888 or contact them via their website.