As cold and flu season approaches, preventing the spread of germs through commonsense good hygiene tips like handwashing becomes even more important. However, kids don't always grasp the importance of properly washing their hands often.
This handwashing lesson plan gives ideas for parents and educators who want to teach proper handwashing for cold, flu, and H1N1 prevention.
Illness Prevention by Educating Kids About Germs
Keep explanations age-appropriate, but explain to kids the importance of hand washing. Toddlers and preschoolers can understand a simple statement like, "When we play, we get dirt on our hands that we can't see. If we don't wash it off with soap and water, we could get sick."
Older kids can be introduced to the word "germs" and might enjoy seeing the spread of germs and bacteria first-hand under a microscope. However a parent or teacher explains germs, emphasize the link between staying healthy and practicing good hygiene.
Teach Proper Handwashing with Song
The tune of most popular children's songs can easily be adapted to handwashing. Teach and sing this simple handwashing song (with actions) to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat:"
- Wash, wash, wash your hands,
- Wash 'em nice and clean.
- First the bottoms (pause and scrub each palm), then the tops (pause and scrub top of each hand)
- And fingers in between (interlace fingers and scrub.)
When possible, accompany kids to the sink when it's time to wash hands. Sing the song and do the actions beside them to help them remember correct hand washing.
Teaching Kids When to Wash in a Handwashing Lesson Plan
Brainstorm a list of times when it's a good idea to wash hands: before eating or helping prepare food, and after activities like going to the bathroom, playing, or touching animals.
Tell a story about a fictional child's day, highlighting the various activities of the day and whether or not he washed his hands after each one (or how well he washed.) As kids listen, they can give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down in the appropriate places.
Tips for Preventing the Transmission of Cold and Flu Germs
Good handwashing procedure is perhaps the most important way to keep a healthy immune system during cold and flu season. Other tips for personal hygiene and flu prevention include:
- Sneeze and cough into the crook of the elbow, not into the hands.
- Regularly clean often-used surfaces like doorknobs, computer keypads and mouse, television controllers, and toys.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Limit contact with others when you are feeling ill to lessen the spread of germs.
- Get enough sleep, water, and exercise to keep the immune system strong.
- Get a precautionary flu shot each year.
While no one can completely eliminate the chance of getting sick at this time of year, practicing and teaching good personal hygiene goes a long way to preventing illness.
These ideas for a handwashing lesson plan for children teaches kids the process and importance of proper hand washing plus helps them make the connection between health and hygiene. Handwashing education is essential to a healthy child.
Other articles about safety and health education for kids: Developing a Fire Safety Plan, Basic Pool Safety for Kids, and H1N1 Detection, Treatment, and Prevention.
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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