The best way to clean kids' hands is by following a simple five-step handwashing method, and making sure it's done at key times.
The Five Steps to Clean Hands
Teaching children to wash their hands properly from a young age can help establish a healthy lifelong habit. Here are the five steps recommended for effective handwashing:
- Wet: Start by wetting hands with clean, running water.
- Lather: Apply soap to the wet hands and create a good lather.
- Scrub: Rub your hands together vigorously, making sure to clean all surfaces, including between your fingers and under your nails. Aim to scrub for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse: Rinse the soap off completely with clean, running water.
- Dry: Dry your hands thoroughly using a clean towel or air dry them.
Key Times for Handwashing
It's also important to teach kids when to wash their hands. Here are some critical times:
- After using the bathroom: This helps prevent the spread of germs found in bathrooms.
- Before eating: Washing hands before meals reduces the risk of ingesting germs that can cause illness.
Additional Tips
- Make handwashing fun by singing a short song or using a timer to ensure kids wash their hands long enough.
- Use brightly colored soaps or fun-shaped soaps to make handwashing more appealing.
- Place a step stool near the sink for smaller children to reach the water and soap easily.
- Be a role model by washing your own hands frequently and properly.
- Encourage regular hand washing and make it part of the daily routine.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Wet | Wet hands with running water |
| 2. Lather | Apply soap and lather well |
| 3. Scrub | Scrub all surfaces thoroughly for 20 seconds |
| 4. Rinse | Rinse soap off with running water |
| 5. Dry | Dry hands with towel or air |
By following these steps and washing hands at key times, children can keep their hands clean and reduce the risk of getting sick.
