How to teach a child to wash hands: useful tips for parents

Wash hands important/freepik

The school year is in full swing. And it is extremely important to accustom children to good habits. Among them is hand washing.

On their Facebook, the Ministry of Health shared tips that will help teach a child to wash hands. Use them to keep your little one healthy and happy.

Explain why handwashing is important

Don't make up “scarecrows”, but tell your child why handwashing is important. For example, explain that visible dirt can be harmful if it gets from your hands to your mouth or eyes. And even if your hands look clean, they can still contain
germs.

Insist that handwashing is just as important as brushing your teeth.

Learn how to wash your hands properly

Explain that a quick hand rinse with water is not enough to neutralize germs. You need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

• Step 1. Wet your hands with running water.
• Step 2. Apply a sufficient amount of soap. Step 3. Rub all surfaces of the hands well: palms and hands, spaces between fingers, under nails. To make it easier for the child to wash his hands for the required amount of time, you can sing a song.
• Step 4. Wash your hands thoroughly with running water.
• Step 5. Wipe your hands with a disposable towel or a clean ordinary towel.

Teach your child to wash hands properly/Freepik photo

Tell us , in which cases you need to wash your hands:

• when your hands look dirty;
• after returning from the street;
• before eating or cooking food;
• after visiting the toilet;
• after touching animals;
• after sniffing, sneezing or coughing.

Create conditions so that washing hands is easy

If the child cannot reach the sink, place a step under it. Make science a game – wash your hands together, sing, show the right example as a whole family. If it doesn't work right away, remember that forming habits takes time. Be patient and explain again.

Use these tips to get your child to love washing hands and do it regularly!