Runny noses, coughs, and middle-of-the-night vomiting seem inevitable this time of year. And with two kids in daycare, I’ll try anything to keep them healthy and at school instead of sick at home! One proven way to fight germs and prevent sickness? Handwashing!
Of course, we all still get sick sometimes. But science says it would be a lot worse if I wasn’t making an effort to teach my kids to take 20 seconds to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water instead of doing a two-second rinse. Here are a few tips I’ve found success with to get my kids to lather up and beat those winter illnesses!
Sing, sing, sing
Little kids love to sing. And there are so many songs that are either about handwashing or just work well for handwashing. My favorite is one my kids learned at daycare (sung to the tune of “Are You Sleeping”):
Tops and bottoms, tops and bottoms,
In between, in between,
All around the hands now, all around the hands now,
Get them clean, get them clean.
The words remind the kids to wash all over their hands, and the length is about right if you sing it twice. Other songs that work well are “Happy Birthday,” the alphabet, or just plain counting/singing to 20. If they count too fast, tell them to count to 30 or use a silly voice to slow them down a little.
Be silly
Stand behind your little one and hold her hands. Make big gestures, narrate what you’re doing (getting soap, scrubbing, turning on the water, etc.) and generally be funny about it. You’re being silly and giving them lots of attention, which they will love. But you’re also showing them the right way to get this done.
Stick with it
I’ve sent my kids back to the bathroom for a second round of handwashing enough times that now they often come out proclaiming, “I counted to 20!” And they really did — I listened for it. Like most habits, it takes awhile to become a regular part of a routine. But keep at it. Send them back, and stick with it.
