Good hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your family from the colds, flu bugs and other infections that circulate through homes, creches and schools, especially during the winter months. Building a good hand-washing routine early on helps your child stay healthier without making them anxious about germs.
School children are especially exposed, coming into contact with all kinds of bacteria and bugs they might not meet at home. Children are also naturally curious and love to touch and explore, which means their hands can quickly pick up germs. The good news is that a few simple habits can make a real difference.
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How to Wash Hands Well
1. Wet your hands with warm or cold water.
2. Soap them with a liquid soap or a bar.
3. Lather them well — this is the fun part!
4. Rub your hands together, palm to palm and around the back, for at least 30 seconds, or a full minute if you can.
5. Rinse them under running water.
6. Turn the water off.
7. Dry them well, using a hand drier or a clean towel.
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Tips on Creating a Good Hand Hygiene Routine
Introducing a good hand hygiene routine early on helps prevent the spread of germs that can cause illness. This video is a great way to encourage preschoolers to get washing — be warned, the song is very catchy, and your little one may want it on repeat!
Preschool Handwashing Song
If you want to join in, the chorus goes:
Wash your hands, wash your hands
Everybody come along and wash your hands!
Alternatively, make up your own song, or get your child to say the alphabet twice — that takes about a minute, which is the ideal length of time for a proper hand wash.
Lead by Example
The best way to teach your children a good hand hygiene routine is to lead by example. Show them how you wash your own hands and get them to copy you.
Explain Why Good Hand Hygiene Is Important
For children starting preschool or school, talk to them about why hand-washing matters. Use simple language and avoid scaring them — you want them to keep enjoying exploring and learning through touch, while staying safe.
There are also websites such as e-Bug, which offer fun online games to teach children about hygiene in an engaging way.
Let Them Choose Hand-Washing Products
To encourage your child to wash their hands, let them pick their own soap or a fun refillable dispenser. A novelty dispenser — shaped like an animal, for example — can make hand-washing something children look forward to rather than a chore.
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Step Up
Younger children can find it difficult to reach the taps, so a sturdy step at the sink can make hand-washing much easier for them to manage independently.
Drying Time
When out and about, encourage your child to use hand driers. This can be a challenge, as many are loud, but it’s worth persevering, as it really is one of the most hygienic ways to dry hands.
At home, change the hand towel regularly and encourage your child to dry their hands fully. Letting them choose a hand towel in their favourite colour or character can make the routine more fun.
Out and About
Baby wipes are handy to carry, not just for keeping hands clean on the go, but also for mopping up the inevitable spills.
Hand sanitiser gels are also useful and come in small bottles that fit easily into school bags. Look for alcohol-free options where possible, and avoid overusing sanitiser, as frequent use can dry out or irritate young skin.
Reward a Good Hand Hygiene Routine
Just as with other good habits, you can reward your child for washing their hands well, whether through a reward chart or small treats, to help the routine stick.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my child wash their hands for?
Aim for around 30 seconds to a minute. Singing a short song or reciting the alphabet twice is an easy way for children to time it without watching a clock.
What’s the best way to dry hands?
A hand drier is one of the most hygienic options when out and about. At home, a clean, regularly changed towel works well — just make sure your child dries their hands fully.
Is hand sanitiser a good substitute for washing with soap and water?
Sanitiser is a handy backup when soap and water aren’t available, but washing with soap and water is best whenever possible. Choose an alcohol-free option for younger children and avoid overuse, as frequent application can dry out the skin.
How can I get a toddler or preschooler interested in hand-washing?
Make it fun. A catchy song, a novelty soap dispenser, or a step so they can reach the sink independently can all help turn hand-washing into something they enjoy rather than resist.
Related Articles
- Flu or Meningitis: Would You Know The Difference?
- How to Avoid Germs and Bugs Coming Home from School
- Everything You Need To Know About Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
- 10 Good Tips to Keep Your Child Healthy This School Year
Before You Go
Looking for more everyday parenting tips like these? Browse our full collection of family health and wellbeing ideas, or save this article to come back to next time you need a refresher on hand hygiene routines.
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Do you have tips to encourage good hand hygiene and prevent the spread of germs? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
