How to make handwashing fun
Handwashing is one of the most important things you can do to protect your child’s health, but it can be challenging to get kids to wash their hands as often as they should. Some little ones might have trouble remembering to wash after using the bathroom or playing with the dog, while others might feel like washing their hands is a chore and get frustrated when they’re reminded multiple times a day.
Making handwashing fun can help integrate the task into your child’s routine so it becomes an automatic habit!
Here are a few tips for making handwashing fun:
- Personalize the experience
Let toddlers choose which soap they want to wash their hands with. Maybe they’ll love a certain scent, or they prefer foamy soap over the gel kind. Consider letting them pick out their own hand towel too!
- Have a handwashing song
Pick a few lines of a song (or make up your own!) and sing for about 20 seconds. Singing a fun song is a great way to make a boring task feel fun and exciting.
- Make it a game
Turn handwashing into a game of Attack the Germs! Ask your little one to use soap to find germs in all their favorite hiding spots and wash them down the drain, so they can’t get anyone sick. They’ll be a superhero that protects the house from germs!
- Reward good handwashing habits
If you use a sticker chart, you can add a row for handwashing and add a sticker every time they remember to wash their hands without your help. Add the stickers up at the end of the week and reward their great behavior!
IMAGINE EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE
Here at Imagine, we help kids become diligent about washing their hands well and often. Contact us today to learn how we make handwashing fun!