[Michelle]

Singing songs, counting by 1’s, 2’s 5’s, 10 depending on the age group, ask the children questions about germs and washing hands. They get clean and learn at the same time.

[Isabella Palermo]

I love singing a song with the kids! I also will wash my hands right next to them so we are doing it together.

[Rebecca Wellnitz]

In our class, we either count to 20 after we start washing hands so they can practice their counting or we have a hand washing song Ive used for years- Tops and bottoms, tops and bottoms, in between, rub them together, rub them together, wash off soap with water, now you’re clean! Also I show them the movements behind them so they remember the steps. 🙂 And we also have a handwashing instructions on wall with pictures.

[Roxanna Clementi Ruizz]

<b data-start=”119″ data-end=”159″>One of the activities I really enjoy doing with the kids is ‘Growing Seeds in a Clear Cup'<strong data-start=”162″ data-end=”175″ style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Activity: Plant beans or grass seeds in a clear plastic cup with soil or paper towels so children can watch roots and stems grow.<strong data-start=”300″ data-end=”320″ style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>Engagement Tips: Ask, <em data-start=”326″ data-end=”387″ style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>“What do you think will happen first, the root or the stem?” Encourage daily observations and drawings.

[Natalie Veljovich]

To reinforce proper handwashing techniques with a child, I often ask the child if they see bubbles and lather forming on their hands. If they do not, then I suggest they use more soap to get the proper amount of cleansing agent. I then ask again if they see bubbles and lather on their hands. When they do, I remind them that this is how they know they are cleaning their hands of germs. After rinsing, we watch the bubbles in the sink and talk about all the germs that are coming off. I remind them not to play with the dirty bubbles. I then ask if they see any more bubbles/soap residue on their hands. Are they sure they are fully rinsed? We continue rinsing until all soap residue is gone.

[Natalie Veljovich]

Also, I always sing a song with the child while they wash their hands. Usually it’s “row row row your boat” or “mary had a little lamb.”

[Brielle Miniutti]

I often sing with the children while washing their hands, sometimes if they skip a step I will have them look to the hand washing steps to find which one they think they missed like a game.

[Mariza]

Hand washing can be fun when Finger painting is involved its a fun activity to get the children to wash there hands and after get rewarded with a sticker or candy.

[Lindsey Biggers]

Songs, stickers, etc.

[Athena Kusunoki]

Singing and dancing are always top-tier positive tools to make handwashing a positive & learning experience for all children of all ages & stages.

[Bella]

In the classroom where I work, we like to make up songs with the kids that will take them through the proper hand washing steps that are also in a picture guide right next to the sink.

[Juliet Ahrens-Siegel]

We have a blacklight reactive “germ juice lotion”. The kids put it on their hands, then wash them, and the blacklight shows all of the spots that they missed.

[Cindy Taylor]

Every week our 4-year-olds spend time in the hoophouse and garden area, exploring soil, tools, plants, and bugs. The environment is set up in such a way that exploration, observation and discovery are always a part of the experience.

[Jenny Ulvestad]

We recently did a unit on handwashing and used a gel on the kids’ hands that glowed under a black light. We observed the children washing their hands and then shone the light on their hands to see if there was any of the gel left. It was an informative way to teach proper handwashing technique and to provide an understanding of why it is important.

[Charis Smith]

I am an avid outdoor, free play co-learner. Giving children space to simply explore their surroundings, peers, and adults makes space for exploration and learning. Playing in puddles, sand. Collecting leaves, sticks. Making “potions”, “experiments”, and food. I choose to be close enough to observe, and possibly engage, but I mostly give them space to be completely enmeshed in their play.