How to Get Your Toddler Washing Hands without a Fight
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Here in New Zealand, we’re heading into the cooler months and subsequent flu season.
You could very well be like me and wonder how to get your toddler washing hands without losing your mind and fighting a big battle every time.
Hand hygiene is the number one way to help prevent the spread of infection and if you have little ones like me, that is always something to strive for.
The common cold isn’t that big of a deal but when all three kids get it then it’s not so much fun.
So, while knowing that hand washing is important…how do you actually get your kids to wash their hands?
Older children are easy to teach but younger ones can be more challenging.
That’s what this post is going to help you out with so keep on reading.
How to Teach Your Child to Wash Their Hands
There are two parts to teaching your toddler or preschooler to wash their hands.
Part of it is setting the scene and the other part of it is the practical steps to making sure hand washing is effective.
Hand washing for kids: Setting the scene
Before you teach your child how to wash their hands these are the things that need to be done.
Set up a handwashing station
It’s highly likely that your toddler won’t be able to reach the sink on their own so it’s important to have a stepping stool handy.
You want easy access to running water, hand soap, and a hand towel so they can dry off properly.
Educate your child
Once you have a place for your child to wash their hands you also need to stop and talk to them about the importance of handwashing.
Preschoolers and toddlers are usually very eager to learn. Take advantage of that.
Here are some books that can help you with this:
You don’t have to be elaborate with this but it’s really important to give them the “why” behind the importance of handwashing.
Although, chances are that they’re going to ask you anyway.
Show them how to wash their hands
Next, you want to show them how to properly wash their hands. Make sure you know how to do it the right way yourself.
Help them to wash their hands
Once you’ve shown them the proper way to wash their hands then help them out with doing it themselves.
Let them do it on their own
Finally, let them have a turn. Most toddlers want to try things on their own anyway (hello independence!) so this is a great opportunity to work on that.
Hand washing steps
As a trained nurse I can tell you that I’ve had plenty of education on the correct way to wash your hands.
Unfortunately, most public places are severely lacking in proper handwashing facilities but that doesn’t have to be the case at home.
Below are the steps to make sure that hand washing is effective.
#1 Turn on the tap and wet your hands
Many people don’t know this, but you’re actually supposed to wet your hands BEFORE you apply soap.
Turn on the tap and wet your hands. Make sure you wet all over and even your wrists.
#2 Apply a good amount of hand soap and start to rub it all over your hands
Use a good amount of soap to lather all over your hands. Be sure to get in between your fingers and also the back of your hands.
These places are very commonly missed.
Also, be sure to use soap on your wrists as well.
#3 Sing happy birthday twice
Washing your hands for a meer 5 seconds is not going to be enough no matter how much soap you’ve applied.
The best way to make sure you’re spending long enough scrubbing those bugs off is by singing “happy birthday” through twice.
This is a great way to help teach your toddler the correct way to wash their hands.
#4 Rinse off all of the soap and turn off the tap
After adequate washing, rinse off all the soap and turn of the tap.
#5 Dry hands thoroughly
The final step is one that is often skipped and is actually vital. Make sure you dry your hands!
Teach your toddler to dry their hands properly and it will go a long way towards preventing the spread of germs.
Using Hand Sanitizer
When I was doing my nursing training I write an essay on handwashing vs hand sanitizer.
Handwashing IS more effective than using hand sanitizer, however, the vast majority of people do not carry out proper handwashing and therefore hand sanitizer is more effective.
When it comes to toddlers and babies, hand sanitizer is most definitely an option that you should consider.
Below are the steps you can teach your toddler.
#1 Apply to hands
Show your toddler how much hand sanitizer to apply to their hands.
#2 Rub all over hands
Hand sanitizer should be rubbed all over just as you would with soap when washing hands. This includes between fingers, the back of your hands, and up to your wrists.
#3 Rub until dry
Hand sanitizer will dry on its own but it’s important to wait until that happens before carrying on.
Teach your toddler to rub their hands together until the hand sanitizer has dried up.
Tips for Encouraging Hand Hygiene in Preschoolers and Toddlers
I know first hand how challenging it can be to make sure your kids are washing their hands.
My three are 5, 3, and 1 and they are very busy.
Here are my top tips for encouraging them to want to wash their hands.
Give them knowledge
I mentioned this above but I’m going to mention it again. Teach them WHY it is important to wash their hands.
Use whatever resources resonate with your child.
Youtube is a great place to look as well as using books.
Make it fun
Make it a game if you can. Use silly voices to sing happy birthday.
Make up a rhyme! Be creative and make the handwashing process fun for your child.
Add it to the routine
I’m a stickler for routine and there’s a good reason for that. It makes it much easier to be intentional about teaching skills.
Handwashing should happen every time they use the bathroom before they eat a meal, and after they come in from playing outside or visiting the town.
Make it a natural part of your routine and your toddler will fight it a whole lot less.
These routine cards are the perfect visual aid to help your toddler in this area.
The reality is that your child is going to get sick. In fact, they need to get sick sometimes in order to build up their immune system.
However, handwashing is an important part of preventing the spread of illnesses that are simply a bother and unnecessary.
Not to mention looking out for others. The common cold may not be a big deal for your kid, but it could be life-threatening for a child with asthma.
Best of luck fighting off the bugs, mama!
