How to Teach Hand Washing Techniques

Washing your hands frequently and correctly can help avoid illness. It is essential to teach people, both young and adult, the health importance of hand-washing techniques and when to wash their hands. Depending on the group or person you are teaching hand-washing techniques, there are many ways to approach the topic. Teaching proper hand-washing techniques can improve personal hygiene, reduce water waste, and dispel misconceptions about hand washing.

Things You'll Need

• Soap

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Instructions

• 1

  Explain to your students that germs can travel from objects, and that these germs can make you or other people sick. Washing hands before eating, after using the restroom, before and after treating wounds, after touching trash, before and after preparing food, and after blowing your nose is a basic principle of personal hygiene. Stressing the well-being of yourself and others is important.

• 2

  Demonstrate proper hand-washing technique in a sink if possible. If not, you can pantomime washing your hands in front of the class. Lather up with soap and water. Run your hands over each other, cleaning between the fingers, around the nails, and on the exposed portion of your wrist. Do so for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to estimate 20 seconds is to hum the tune "Happy Birthday" twice, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

• 3

  Promote water conservation techniques. Moisten your hands to lather, but turn off the water while lathering and scrubbing hands to save water, and make sure your hands are cleaned thoroughly with soap before it is rinsed off.

• 4

  Rinse your hands thoroughly under running warm water if possible. Remove all soap suds and dirt before drying.

• 5

  Tell students to dry their hands with air dryers if possible. Press the button or lever for paper towels with your elbow or shoulder to avoid contamination. Never use a dirty towel or your clothes to dry your hands.

• 6

  Test your students on their technique by observing them wash their hands or giving a quiz if you have older students and adults,