According to Asthma society research

80% of diseases can be prevented from good handwashing. 

Common diseases prevented are:

• Norovirus,

•  Flu, 

• Common cold, 

• Hand foot and mouth,

•  Conjunctivitis, 

• Impetigo, 

• Respiratory infections,

•  Gastrointestinal infections.

According to CDC- Centre for disease control and prevention.

Handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhoea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu.

Nearly 22 million school days are lost each year due to the common cold and this is preventable by good handwashing techniques and knowing the common areas of the hands missed by children.

This was even more important after lockdown as little ones were returning to nursery and school and catching lots of common illnesses.

Their immune systems were not exposed to common viruses for 2 years during lockdown.

This is why Handwashing is the one skill children should perfect before starting nursery or school.

Did you know I used to teach hand washing in nurseries and schools with my light therapy box?

(I worked in school health for nine years and six years with the health visiting team and I loved it.)

I would teach when to wash hands- the 5 important times.

1. After going to the toilet 

2. After coughing or sneezing

3. Before eating

4. After touching any animals or pets

5. After playing outside or if they look dirty

Why -to stop the spread of germs, viruses, bacteria and fungus.
Also I know from first hand experience when children are off school from illnesses they miss out on friendship building .They can return to school feeling left out from friendship groups. 
They can also miss out on key learning which can affect their confidence and self-esteem. 

The how is explained in my fun video with Lottie my puppet and a fun rhyme. I would love you to meet Lottie, my puppet. See below

My lesson plan included explaining to children in age-appropriate language about germs.

There are thousands of different kinds of germs. The smallest germs are called viruses. They cause many different illnesses, for example colds and chicken pox are both caused by viruses.

Bacteria are another group of germs; some of them give you earache or a sore throat. There are also lots of helpful bacteria which scientists use to make medicines.

Harmful germs can only make you sick if they get inside you so what can we do to stop germs getting inside us?

WASH OUR HANDS.

Let little one learn the handwashing techniques with Lottie.

Here she is: Link to handwashing video.

Common hand washing mistakes.

• Washing hands in less than 10 seconds (ideal 30 seconds) 

• Washing with water only  

• Washing hands under running water (always remove your hands from under the stream of water while lathering and washing)

• Ignoring backs of the hands, areas between the fingers and fingernail beds.

• Not washing before preparing food.

• Putting soap on first before wetting hands.

• Nursery/school staff not washing hands when arriving at work.

• Not washing hands before giving medications.

• Using a sink full of standing water to rinse hands. 

Look at the concentration.

Review

One of my mummies shared a text after her little three year old watched my video. Its now his favourite video to watch 😊

Remember the 5 Important areas to wash.

1. Palms

2. Backs of hands

3. Thumbs

4. In-between fingers

5. Nails

These are common areas missed by children.

They also forget to wet their hands first. The first step of handwashing.(If we wet our hands first the soap can lather up.)
Last step of handwashing, they need to dry their hands thoroughly – making sure that they have dried between their fingers.
Research shows the final friction of drying hands removes the last lot of germs.

Here's the rhyme sang in my video to help your child remember the actions.

Rub the soap between your palms

Then on backs up to your arms

Give your thumbs a little twist

Then do the same to your wrists

Link your fingers side by side

That’s where the germs like to hide

Spider left and spider right

Hook your fingers nice and tight

This cleans your nails in a blink

Then rinse the bugs down the sink.

Germs are tough, and children need a weapon to fight the bugs.

That weapon is great hand washing to prevent those many diseases.
Make handwashing become a new habit and part of your child’s day, this will then be practised throughout their lives.
Creating healthy habits for the future.

Love to know if little ones like the video with Lottie.
Contact me if you want any colouring pictures or a handwashing certificate below.

Handwashing colouring can start a great conversation with little ones.

Give your little ones a hand washing certificate for learning how to be a star washer.