Drying Hands Independently

“Dry As A Bone”

• Encourage your child to wash hands as part of daily routines (e.g., before eating, after toileting, when coming in from outdoors, after messy activities, etc).
• Provide your child with a cloth towel or paper towel after each washing.  Show your child how to wipe hands with the part of the towel that is hanging.
• Provide your child with opportunities to wash dishes, dolls, and toys and then dry them.
• Model washing and drying hands.  Show your child how to wipe off the front and back of the hand.
• Verbally instruct your child to dry hands.
• Physically assist your child through the motion of drying hands until able to do independently.