Germs & Handwashing
Teaching Kids About Germs & Handwashing
It is no surprise that we have chosen this as our topic talk for the week. As we move into another month with COVID-19 on our coattails, we thought it would be a great time to address the elephant in the room - GERMS. We all know that kids will be kids, and part of this is being oblivious to the dangers around them. Here are some fun and clever tips and tricks to teach the kids about germs and handwashing.
1. Use glitter on their hands to show them how germs spread to surfaces and other people - it's much easier to clean than paint, and prettier too.
2. Grow some germs of your own. Using four apple slices and the naturally occurring germs on your child's hand, you can use this simple science experiment to show them how germs grow. In three jars labelled 'control', 'dirty', 'cleaned w/o help', and 'cleaned with help', you will place the four apple slices. The control apple slice will be sealed in the jar without being touched. The dirty apple slice will be sealed in the jar after being touched with your child's dirty (unwashed) hands. The cleaned w/o help apple slice will be sealed in the jar after being touched by your child's self-washed hands. And the fourth apple slice will be sealed in the jar after being touched by your child's hand that you helped them thoroughly wash. In a few days, your child will be able to see, aside from four brown apple slices, the effects of dirt and germs (MOLD!) and how important it is to clean our hands properly.
3. Use books and toys to help teach about hygiene and cleanliness - Dr. Seuss makes one called "Oh the Things You Can Do That are Good for You".
4. Give the kids colouring pages about germs - take the opportunity while they are colouring to get in a teaching moment.
5. Teach handwashing with a song - Baby Shark works very well!
6. And the time old classic - Use an egg timer. It will tell them how long to wash and they will know when they are done.
Germs and hygiene can be scary right now, but these tips and tricks make teaching the kids fun and engaging.
Happy Handwashing!