I have been working with little kids and babysitting for about 3 years now and I love it. But I am always struggling to get the little ones to wash their hands when it is time to eat or when coming in from playing outside. Here are a few things that I have used to help get their hands clean throughout the years.
- When it comes time to wash hands for a snack take your child to the sink and wash their hands. Make it fun by singing the ABC’s while they lather the soap on their hands. Then when they are done singing it is time to rinse all the soap off. Singing the ABC’s not only makes sure that your hands are getting thoroughly clean but it also helps little ones to learn. After rinsing off all the soap have them dry their hands. Now they have cleaned their hands in a fun way and get a snack as a reward.
- Another fun way to get children to want to wash their hands is to give them foam soap. This makes them want to play with the foam and in the process of playing their hands is getting clean. Foam soap is usually the same price as regular soap, so you aren’t spending extra money making hand washing fun. There are also colored and scented foam soaps to make this even more fun for your little guys.
- While at times getting you little ones to wash their hands can be a nightmare, remember that it’s always worth the work to keep them healthy. If your child doesn’t like washing his hands try and let him choose the soap the next time you are at the store. This will make him feel like he is being treated like a big kid and may help him want to wash his hands more. You can also offer him rewards after he washes his hands if it helps. And always remind your child that washing his hands will keep him healthy and happy.
- You could always think up a game to play with hand washing. This would make it fun for them and make you happy because they are getting their hands clean. If you have more than one child try telling them that whoever gets his hands the cleanest wins a prize, but they must wash for at least 20 seconds. Making anything into a game usually make a child more willing and eager to do what you want them to do. And in the end you can give both children a prize for doing a good job.
- Also you could make them a hand washing chart with stickers and whenever they wash their hands without arguing they get to put a sticker up, and when they have reach a certain goal they get a prize. Sticker charts make everything fun, kids love being able to track their progress to getting a special treat. They also love the idea of getting to use stickers on regular bases. And the prizes don’t have to be anything big just something that your child will love, like maybe a trip to the park or a friend gets to stay the night.
