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Hand-Washing Checklist for Preschool

Preschoolers are notoriously active and love to play games, make crafts and eat snacks. Because preschoolers share an active environment with other children, it is essential that educators encourage good hand-washing habits among preschool students. Preschoolers should wash their hands upon arrival at the school, before eating and after playing outdoors. Hand washing decreases germ exposure and minimizes the risk of spreading illness among students.

  1. Prepare the Area

    • Before your preschoolers wash their hands, ensure that the sink area is clean and ready for children. Pump bottles of soap should be full and the faucets should be within easy reach. You should also use paper towels for the children, rather than a single towel, to prevent bacterial build-up.

    Ready the Children

    • Before your students can wash their hands, help them get ready for the big event. Roll up any long sleeves to the elbow. Remove any watches, bracelets or rings that your students may be wearing. If a student wears a medical alert bracelet, this should also be removed before he washes his hands, but take note to replace the bracelet quickly when he is finished.

    Wash the Hands

    • Allow each child to wet his hands before applying a small amount of soap. Children should rub their hands together and create a lather for at least 15 to 30 seconds before placing hands back under running water. Make sure that children wash the front and backs of hands, between fingers and underneath fingernails. If the students cannot yet count out the seconds for hand washing, sing a song to help them learn the right amount of time to wash their hands. For example, sing a verse of "Twinkle, Twinkle" or another popular preschool song. When the verse is done, the children can stop washing their hands and dry them.

    Rinse and Dry the Hands

    • Once the preschoolers are finished washing their hands, allow each child to rinse her hands in cool water and remove any soap still remaining on her hands. After rinsing, each child should dry her hands with a paper towel or, if you have one at the preschool, an air dryer.

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