Keeping kids of all ages healthy can be a challenge—especially when they tend to be masters at spreading germs! But that just makes instilling early hand washing skills all the more important. Here are some tips For Teaching the Basics (and Making it Fun!)

? Explain the concept of germs to your child by comparing them to tiny invisible bugs. In order to get all of the “bugs” off, demonstrate lathering up and scrubbing the backs and fronts of hands, between fingers, around wrists, and under fingernails.

? Provide fun soaps—the more foam the better! Bar soaps in different shapes and colors work too. Allowing your child to accompany you to the store to choose ”special” or “magic” soap may help him/her become more invested in and excited about the hand washing process.

? Provide a step stool for your child to ensure he/she can reach your bathroom sink comfortably enough to wash hands independently. If you don’t already have one that works well height-wise, this can be another fun purchase to make together (there’s a wide range of kids step stools out there to choose from.)

? To avoid burning hands with very hot water, consider putting a ribbon on the cold faucet handle. Explain to your child that the cold water should always be turned on first, followed by slowly turning on the hot water.

To ensure your child scrubs for at least 20 seconds, excitedly sing a hand washing song. Below are some of our favorite fun renditions of familiar songs about hand washing:

“ROW ROW ROW YOUR BOAT” (Original authors unknown):
Wash, wash, wash your hands
Play our handy game
Rub and scrub, and scrub and rub
Germs go down the drain.  HEY!
(repeat)

“TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR” (Original authors unknown)
Twinkle, twinkle little star, look how clean my two hands are
With soap and water, wash and scrub
Got those germs off, rub-a-dub-dub
Twinkle, twinkle little star Look how clean my two hands are

“IF YOU’RE DIRTY AND YOU KNOW IT” (Original authors unknown)
If you’re dirty and you know it wash your hands
If you’re dirty and you know it wash your hands
If you’re dirty and you know it then your hands will surely show it
If you dirty and you know it wash your hands

“TOPS AND BOTTOMS” tune of Frere Jacques (Original authors unknown)
Tops and Bottoms, Tops and Bottoms (rub tops and bottoms of hands)
In between, in between (rub fingers inside on both hands)
All around your hands, all around your hands
Makes them clean, makes them clean

Remember, practice makes perfect—it’s better that your child spend too much time at the sink than not enough.

? Need a little extra help teaching and establishing healthy hand-washing habits? Excited 2 Learn’s I Can Wash My Hands! chart provides a visual step-by-step guide to help you and your child get started (and have a little fun in the process)! Please comment below if you have any questions about our chart or have tips of your own to share!

Amanda and Sarah