Teaching The Importance of Washing Your Hands
Five Simple Steps For Proper Handwashing
Handwashing is something we do every single day and a habit we’re taught at a young age. But it’s not something we really talk about regularly…until now.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, handwashing has become a topic that’s front and center when it comes to protecting people and their loved ones from getting sick. After all, it’s the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs! While it’s a habit that people should practice without being told, children occasionally need an extra reminder to take that 30 seconds and get soapy. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention has gone the extra mile to create content that promotes proper handwashing and to teach children five simple steps for washing their hands the right way:
- Wet. Place your hands under the faucet to wet them with clean, running water.
- Lather. Squirt soap into the palm of your hands, then rub them together so the soap bubbles up. Remember to get the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails!
- Scrub. Keep rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse. Place your hands under the faucet to rinse off your hands.
- Dry. Get a clean towel to dry your hands with or fan them and let air dry.
Need promotional materials to remind your children, students, or patrons to wash their hands? Here are some posters provided by the CDC.
Rent an RV
Renting an RV gives you socially distanced accommodations you can take with you. Outdoorsy notes that you can rent a travel trailer for $50 to $125 per night or go all out on a more expensive class A motorhome for $175 to $275 per night.
Consider a Ranch Vacation
The U.S. has plenty of ranches where you can stay in remote areas and experience outdoor adventures. No matter where you are, you can find a great dude or family ranch nearby. Your family is sure to enjoy horseback riding, exploring nearby woods and lakes, and ending the day with smores by the campfire.
Remote Beach
If you’ve had enough of the rural living, head to the beach! Avoid touristy beaches that are always crowded in favor of smaller, lesser-known areas. Renting a house instead of staying at a busy hotel or resort lets you enjoy a more distant beach vacation.
Staycation
If your budget or your schedule don’t allow for a true vacation, consider planning a staycation. To prevent it from feeling like any other day, create a special staycation that will make your school break more exciting. Plan themed activities for each day, or turn your backyard into a campground by setting up a tent. Or pile up some sleeping bags on the living room floor for a family sleepover with your favorite movies playing on the TV.
You can also play tourist in your own city. Explore aspects of your area that you take for granted and research to find new adventures you didn’t even know existed. You might be surprised by what you learn in the process!
Products to Pack
Using kid-friendly tech while you travel can keep your children safer. Smartwatches for kids keep you in contact if you get separated. They have parental controls to keep your young ones from seeing things they shouldn’t, and they often have GPS and a medical ID to help in case of an emergency.
If you’re pregnant or nursing, make sure you have everything you need, especially the right clothes. You want to be sure your clothes are both lightweight and functional. Check this one out for a simple option that will also beat the summer heat.
Take a Fun Trip
It’s a rarely-discussed fact that vacations can be almost as stressful as work, unless we eliminate that stress with a little preemptive planning. So consider these kid-friendly tips to help you decompress while also making fond memories as a family.
Cris Johnson’s Amazing School Assemblies and Library Shows believes that fun and education can go hand-in-hand. So make your family time amazing and book Cris for your school’s next assembly for an experience like no other!
View more posters and additional resources by visiting https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
Or share this video provided by the CDC:
Entertain and Education Through Reading
All the best things have life have a book to correspond with them. Handwashing is no different. Check your local library for these 5 great hygiene-centric books for kids!
- Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Good For You by Tish Rabe. The Cat in the Hat teams up with Partnership for a Healthier America to teach the importance of eating right, staying active, getting sleep, handwashing, teethbrushing, and more. Great for ages 5-8!
- The Bacteria Book by Steve Mould. Learn about bacteria, viruses, and other germs and microbes that keep us and our world running, how they can be harmful, and how to prevent them from hurting us. Great for ages 6-9!
- Those Mean Nasty Dirty Downright Disgusting… But Invisible Germs by Judith Anne Rice. Learn the importance of handwashing, how germs spread, and how to prevent them. Great for ages 5-7!
- What is Social Distancing?: A Children’s Guide & Activity Book by Lindsey Coker Luckey. This books helps explain the importance of handwashing and social distancing so kids understand why they can’t go to school or see their friends as often as they used to.
- Dragon’s Mask: A Cute Children’s Story to Teach Kids the Importance of Wearing Masks to Help Prevent the Spread of Germs and Viruses by Steve Herman. Diggory Doo the dragon learns why wearing a mask is important and how it can help prevent the spread of germs. Great for ages 4-8!
The “Scrub-A-Dub-Dub” Magic Show
While this 30-35 minutes magic show is intended for childcare/preschool audiences, it’s also great for your youngest elementary school students! Safe, silly, and age-appropriate, it’s a show all about hygiene designed to help your little ones understand what germs are, how they spread, and how to prevent spreading. From magic and puppetry to humor and interactive fun, it’s a show that will captivate your children start to finish!
Call (716) 940-8963 for more details TODAY.
