How To Teach Your Kids Handwashing

One of the cheapest, easiest, and most important ways you can keep your children safe from disease is to get them to wash their hands frequently.

UNICEF provides the following tips on how to turn Handwashing into a healthy habit for the life of your children:

1. Explain the benefits of handwashing

Let your children know that washing hands can keep them from bacteria and viruses that can make them and others around them sick. You should teach them about how even though germs are invisible, they could still be there. The children should understand clearly that regular Handwashing is as important as brushing the teeth or eating a meal.

2. Demonstrate the correct steps of handwashing

Explain that to eliminate all traces of infection-causing bacteria on your hands, a quick scrub and rinse isn't enough. Here's a step-by-step guide for effective handwashing:

Step 1: Wet hands with running water

Step 2: Apply enough soap to cover wet hands

Step 3: Scrub all surfaces of the hands - including back of hands, between fingers and under nails - for at least 20 seconds

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly with running water

Step 5: Dry hands with a clean cloth or single-use towel

3. Hands should be washed with soap for at least 20-30 seconds.

The same goes if using a sanitizer: Use a sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol and rub it into your hands for at least 20 seconds to ensure full coverage. Remember: hand sanitizer can be toxic if swallowed and should be used only under adult supervision.

4. Set the times they should be washing their hands

Your children should wash their hands frequently throughout the day.

SOURCE: UNICEF