“Did You Wash Your Hands?!”
- Encourage your child to wash hands as part of a daily routine (e.g., before eating, after using the toilet before coming in from outside, messy activities, etc).
- Have your child help you wash dishes.
- Provide your child with a basin filled with soap and water.
- Have your child wash dolls, dishes or toys.
- Give your child a piece of Play-Doh or clay. Place it between your child’s hand and rub them together.
- Apply lotion to your child’s hand. Practice rubbing your child’s hands together.
- Provide soap in a pump. It is easier to use.
- Allow your child to wash your hands.
- Have your child stand by your side, so that the two of you can wash hands together.
- Give your child direction on how to wash hands.
- Point to the sequence that is required in washing hands. For example, first point to the water, then the soap, then the water again.
- Stand behind your child and place your hand on top of your child’s. Physically take your child through the sequence of washing hands.
- Gradually fade away cues as your child is able to independently wash hands.
