Frequently washing hands has never been more important these days, especially with the coronavirus outbreak. As parents, we are all thinking as we watch our children “wash” their hands, happily splashing away in the water, there’s no way those kids hands are actually clean! Sure, they may be having fun, but unless we’re teaching our kids the proper hand washing steps because, most are skipping steps and severely shortening the time in which their hands are spent covered in soap and water.
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Now is a particularly good time to ensure everyone is washing their hands the right way. This kills germs, and prevents spreading their own germs to others. Not touching faces and avoiding surfaces in public is equally important. How to do this, you might ask? Easy! As with most things related to children, keep it simple, repetitive, and fun!
Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry
This recommended kids hand washing step sequence developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is a helpful guide:
1) Wet
2) Lather
3) Scrub
4) Rinse
5) Dry
According to the CDC, a good routine for washing hands is vital – especially for kids – as it prevents a large portion of both diarrhea-related illnesses and respiratory infections. Proper hand washing can prevent serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, hepatitis A, the flu, neurovirus or coronavirus.
Creatures of Habit
It’s crucial to teach children about good behavior and hygiene, especially during the pandemic. Remember when your daughter took your makeup last week, saying she wanted to look like you? Instead of losing your favorite Estee Lauder eyeshadow and liner to your adorable mini-me, show her how to mimic you by regularly washing your hands!
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As a parent, make a habit of your own to wash your hands frequently or in any of these circumstances:
- After playing outside or in sand (or in public areas)
- After using the toilet
- After feeding or playing with pets
- After changing a dirty diaper
- After sneezing, blowing your nose, or touching your eyes or face
- Before cooking or eating
In addition to the hand-washing steps, be sure your kids know what parts of their hands need the most attention! We like this little chant in our house:
“Under, over, around the sides! In between the fingers and everything behind!”
Here’s a little tune to help children remember to wash their hands properly. This includes the tops and bottoms of their hands, the sides of each hand, between their fingers, and their wrists. Once they’ve got the hang of washing all those surfaces, you can move on to some fun and catchy songs that kids can sing while they wash. Experts recommend to lather hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, and these popular songs can help them do just that – and even longer!
Sing a Song!
Kids often respond well to new habits such as hand washing when it looks easy to remember and fun for them. One of those ways is to get musical with your child! Sing and dance (well, sway your hips in place, that is!) to the tune of popular songs such as “Happy Birthday,” “The Alphabet Song,” “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” or “You Are My Sunshine.” As a bonus, you could also use this timer for other activities and routines, especially when working on forming good teeth brushing habits!
Hand Sanitizer Works Just As Well, Doesn’t It?
It is important to note that hand sanitizers cannot kill all germs efficiently. Some type of more resistant bacteria may include those found in norovirus, C.Diff, and certain parasites. These require a thorough 20-second (at least) scrubbing with soap and water to completely be eliminated from the skin. The efficiency of hand sanitizer may also be reduced by children or adults not using the recommended amount, found on the label of the bottle, or touching surfaces before the hand sanitizer has had time to dry.
However, the next best thing to soap and water is a 60-95% alcohol hand sanitizer. Teach the kiddos the same tune of “under, over, around the sides! In between the fingers and everything behind!” to ensure hand sanitizer efficiently covers all areas of their little hands and fingers.
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Better Than a Hand Washing Poster for Kids
It can be hard to start something new and we totally get that! That’s why hand washing steps for kids can be made a part of the Goally routine on our handheld device instead of on a poster for kids! This will help build up the importance of efficient hand washing and help to make it part of the everyday routine instead of an added chore. Here’s an example of a successful Goally hand washing routine:
We simply want to make it easy, fun, and habitual for kids to learn good handwashing techniques early in life. This will keep them as healthy and safe as possible, now and in the future.
FAQs About Hand Washing Steps for Kids
Why is hand washing important for special needs kids? Hand washing is important for all children, but especially for those with special needs as they may have weaker immune systems or difficulty understanding the importance of cleanliness. Proper hand washing helps prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. What are the five steps to proper hand washing for kids? The five steps to proper hand washing are: wet hands with clean water, lather hands with soap, scrub hands for at least 20 seconds, rinse hands thoroughly with clean water, and dry hands with a clean towel or air dry. How can parents and caregivers teach special needs kids to wash their hands properly? Teaching special needs kids to wash their hands properly can be challenging, but it can be done through visual aids, repetition, and positive reinforcement. Parents and caregivers can also use fun songs or videos to make hand washing more engaging and enjoyable. How often should special needs kids wash their hands? Special needs kids, like all children, should wash their hands frequently throughout the day, especially before and after eating, using the restroom, or touching objects that may be contaminated with germs. What are some tips for making hand washing easier for special needs kids? Some tips for making hand washing easier for special needs kids include: providing a step stool or comfortable seating, using soap with a pleasant scent or texture, and providing plenty of visual aids and positive reinforcement to encourage proper hand washing habits.
This post was originally published on 12/28/2020. It was updated on 07/14/2023.
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Ashley Lavoie is a mom of 3 and manages both child and adult ADHD and Neonatal Diabetes. She is advocating for awareness and loves writing and connecting with other families like hers.
Editor’s note: This information is not meant to diagnose or treat. It should not take the place of personal consultation, as needed, with a qualified healthcare provider and/or BCBA.
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