TEACH YOUR KIDS HAND HYGIENE THE EASY WAY


5 May is World Hand Hygiene Day – a great time to teach your little ones the importance of keeping their hands clean to stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs.




THE EARLIER CHILDREN LEARN HOW TO WASH THEIR HANDS, THE BETTER
Children need to be taught hand hygiene from an early age because their busy little hands are constantly exploring and testing their surroundings and environment, which is how they learn about the world, and develop the skills they need to survive in it!

The World Health Organisation reports that diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old, killing around 525,000 children under five each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA, proper handwashing could protect one in three young children who get sick with diarrhoea. Between them, pneumonia and diarrhoea are responsible for around 20% of deaths in children under five – and both can be prevented by proper handwashing.



When kids are in contact with germs, they can get infected just by touching their faces (eyes, nose or mouth) – and once they’ve caught the bug, the rest of the family is likely to be next, as well as anyone else who’s been close to them.

But they need to explore, adventure, prod and poke things. So rather than killing their curiosity, teach them the principles of hand hygiene, and you can relax while they go about the messy business of growing into happy, healthy adults with enquiring minds.

Related article: The proper way to keep hands clean germ free

WHEN SHOULD KIDS WASH THEIR HANDS?
  • After using the toilet
  • Whenever their hands look dirty
  • Before eating (or cooking, if they’re old enough to help you)
  • After coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose
  • After playing outside
  • Before and after visiting anyone who is sick
  • After being in public places like at shops
  • After travelling in buses, taxis or trains
  • After petting animals
  • Of course, after touching anything gross!

TEACH KIDS THE RIGHT WAY TO WASH THEIR HANDS BY WATCHING YOU
Regular hand-washing the correct way – and that’s the important bit – is the best way to protect kids from sickness and to prevent the spread of germs. If your kids see you rinsing your hands briefly under the tap, they’ll think that’s enough. But many germs can’t be killed just by rinsing with water. So lead by example to get them into the habit of doing it right.

MAKE HAND HYGIENE FUN FOR YOUR KIDS
Even before they can walk, you can let your baby watch you wash your hands – and make a game of washing their hands. Once toddlers are walking, reinforce good hand hygiene by making it fun. Link your hygiene lessons to things they find enjoyable – for example before giving them their favourite snack, or when they’ve cleaned up after an arts and crafts activity.

Let them sing a song or practice counting while they wash their hands – you need to take enough time to thoroughly kill the germs. With smaller children, set up a bench or stool to make it easy for them to reach the basin, and make sure the soap is within their reach.

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HAND WASHING 1,2,3
  • Wet your and your child’s hands all over with water (cold or hot – just make sure it’s not too hot for tiny hands)
  • Rub bar soap on the palms of hands or dispense about half a teaspoon of liquid soap into the palm of one hand.
  • Scrub hands all over, including between the fingers, the wrists – and especially under the nails – for at least 20 seconds. Also give the tap handle a good scrub.
  • Rinse hands under running water.
  • Dry thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towel. Germs spread more easily from wet skin, so it’s important to dry hands well after cleansing.

Related article: Cleaning out Corona


SOURCES: KIDSHEALTH.COM, GLOBALHANDWASHING.ORG, CHILDRENS.COM/HEALTH-WELLNESS, OURWORLDINDATA.ORG, UNICEF.ORG,


TEACH YOUR KIDS HAND HYGIENE THE EASY WAY TEACH YOUR KIDS HAND HYGIENE THE EASY WAY Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar on April 26, 2022 Rating: 5
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