Hand hygiene is a crucial aspect of children’s hygiene as it plays a significant role in preventing the spread of germs and diseases. The hands are the only body part which they continuously use. Their hands are also consistently in contact with their mouths, which means an effortless transfer of bacteria and germs. It is crucial for children to be taught to keep their hands clean and be present-minded when they are dealing with food.
Introducing Dr. Farah Alam-Mirza’s collection of books on health promotion, a fantastic resource for teaching children about hygiene! This engaging series consists of several books that provide step-by-step guidance on various tasks related to personal hygiene. With vibrant illustrations accompanying the text, these books make it easy for children to follow along and incorporate healthy habits into their daily lives.
By reading these books together with your child, you can actively participate in their learning journey and help them understand the importance of hygiene practices. Each book is designed to simplify complex concepts into an enjoyable and relatable experience, fostering a positive attitude toward self-care. This series also has a specific book dedicated to hand hygiene. It is now available on Amazon and can easily be purchased.
Besides buying health books, there are some key points that you can teach your child to keep their hands clean and their health top-notch:
Importance of Handwashing
Teaching children the importance of handwashing helps them understand that it is an effective way to remove dirt, germs, and bacteria from their hands, thus reducing the risk of illness. A parent can use the old pepper and water trick.
The parent should pull a plate with water, just enough to cover the plate. Then sprinkle enough pepper to cover the water’s surface. Once that is done, they should dip their child’s finger without dish soap in the plate, and the pepper will not move; however, once the child has dish soap on their finger, and are made to touch the water. The pepper disperses, making it look like magic. This will help children understand how soap keeps the germs away and keeps their hands clean.
Proper Handwashing Technique
Educating children about the proper handwashing technique ensures that they wash their hands thoroughly. They should use soap, lather their hands, scrub all surfaces (including between fingers and under nails), and rinse with clean water.
Before and After Activities
Encourage children to wash their hands before and after certain activities such as eating meals, using the restroom, playing outside, handling pets, or sneezing/coughing. This will help them know that there are germs in certain places, and in order to keep their hands clean, they will have to wash them repeatedly. Make sure this is not done with extreme obsession since it can lead to germaphobia.
Hand Sanitizers
Teach children when and how to use hand sanitizers appropriately, especially when soap and water are not readily available. They should know to apply a sufficient amount, rub it all over their hands until dry, and avoid touching their faces until the sanitizer has completely dried.
Though this will keep their hands clean, they should be encouraged to wash their hands as soon as running water and soap is available.
Role Modeling
Parents, teachers, and caregivers should serve as positive role models by practicing good hand hygiene themselves. Children are more likely to follow these habits if they see adults practicing them consistently. Encourage your child to tag along with you to make it a little activity for you and the child. This will be very fun and will keep the child engaged.
With these few suggestions, your child be washing their hands properly and repeatedly in no time.
Book Name: HEALTH PROMOTION SERIES
Author Name: Dr Farah Alam-Mirza
Amazon Book Link: Click Here