It’s almost here … the cold and flu season in the Northern Hemisphere. Handwashing is always important, but it’s especially important now. Since proper handwashing is one of the best ways to stop the spread of disease, the sooner kids can develop the habit of thorough handwashing the better.
Montessori Care of Self and Handwashing
Care of self is part of the basic Montessori practical life curriculum. Handwashing skills should be included.
Children need to know that you should wash your hands:
- after being outdoors or getting your hands dirty
- after using the bathroom
- after touching animals
- before and after touching food
- after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
For a simple handwashing lesson, have your child:
- Wash hands in warm water.
- Use soap and lather up for about 20 seconds. Get in between the fingers and under the nails. Wash the wrists, too.
- Rinse hands.
- Dry well with a clean towel.
Handwashing is a great Montessori practical life lesson with steps that can improve the child’s order, concentration, coordination, and independence. Here’s an example of one way to show the steps involved.
“Preschool Montessori Activities : Teaching Hand Washing to Kids”
Here’s a lovely handwashing video showing Montessori in action: “Handwashing” by The Cobb Montessori School
Here are some helpful tips on the “Techniques of Hand Washing” from OSCE Pediatrics.
Free Handwashing Resources
Washing Hands Song from Teaching Mama
Free “Washing Hands” Song printable from Teaching Mama
“Handwashing Song” to the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Handwashing Poster from Childhood 101
“Teaching Kids about Germs and Handwashing” with free printable from Childhood 101
“The Handwashing Song” Classroom Poster from File Folder Heaven
What Time Do I Wash My Hands (Photo from Every Star Is Different)
“What Time Do I Wash My Hands?” free printable and handwashing activities from Every Star Is Different
Sesame Street Free “How to Wash Your Hands” Cards
Free handwashing resources from 2Care2Teach4Kids
How to Get Kids to Wash Their Hands Properly (Photo by Jojoebi)
Free handwashing printable from Scholastic
How to Get Kids to Wash Their Hands Properly (Cinnamon Magic) by Jojoebi
The Science of Handwashing Experiments and Fun from Earth’s Kids
The Importance of Handwashing from Stem Mom
Free Handwashing Posters, Activity Sheets & Other Materials from UNL Food
YouTube Handwashing Videos
Singing the “ABC Song” is one way for children to wash their hands for 20 seconds. Following are some other ideas of songs that can be introduced at circle time to encourage handwashing and/or help children wash their hands for 20 seconds. You’ll find some of these in my Educational Songs for Circle Time post. Here’s a more complete list.
“Happy Handwashing Song” (sing 2 times through)
“Nursery Rhyme – Wash Your Hands” (sing 2 times through)
“Washy Washy Clean”
“Scrub Squad Song Book #1” from KidScoopNews
Scrub Squad (free resources) from Kid Scoop
“Rubba Dub Dub, Animated Handwashing Song” from The Singing Nurse
“Miss Nina’s Hand Washing Song”
“Wash My Hands Song”
“When Do I Wash My Hands?” by Kim Lytton, New Mexico State University
“A 20 Second Scrub-A-Dub” by Kim Lytton, New Mexico State University
“Germ Smart – Wash Your Hands” – Animated Video with “Wash Your Hands” Song
Hand Washing for Kids: Pump The Pump Music Video by Softsoap Brand
“The Hand Wash Song” by Krazy Kuzins
Montessori-Inspired Hygiene Resources
See my “Montessori-Inspired Hygiene Lessons to Help Kids Stay Healthy” for ideas the extend the handwashing lessons.
All the Posts in the Free Song and Resources Video Series
Free Songs about Skills and Concepts
- Free Educational Songs for Circle Time
- Free Baby Sign Language Videos {Signs and Songs}
- Free & Fun Toilet Learning Songs {Potty Songs} for Toddlers
- Favorite Clean Up Song
- Free Clean Up Songs (Tidy Up Songs) and Rhymes
- Free Kissing Hand Songs, Poems, and Videos to Ease Separation Anxiety
- Free Back-to-School Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Celebration of Life Songs and Printables for a Montessori Birthday
- Handwashing Activities for Kids – Free Songs and Lessons
- Reinforcing Letter Sounds with Phonics Songs
- Free Sign Language Alphabet and Phonics Songs
- Free Sign Language Color Songs for Circle Time
- Free Spanish Color Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Songs about 100 {Free Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time}
- Educational Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays Pinterest Board
Free Unit Study Songs
- Free Fire Safety Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Arctic Animal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Penguin Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Arctic vs. Antarctic Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Bird Sounds, Songs, and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Tree Songs and Educational Videos {Learn about Trees, Apple Trees, and Seasons}
- Free Solar System Songs and Educational Videos
Free Seasonal and Holiday Songs
- Free Back-to-School Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Grandparent Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Fall Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Halloween Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Thanksgiving Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Winter Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Christmas Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Hanukkah Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Kwanzaa Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free New Year’s Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Martin Luther King Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Groundhog Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Valentine’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free President Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Chinese New Year Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free St. Patrick’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Spring Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Easter Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Earth Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Cinco de Mayo Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Mother’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Father’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free American Patriotic Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Summer Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
Free Video Resources Posts
- Free Royal Tea Party Videos {Grace and Courtesy Resources}
- Free Montessori Video Lessons Online
- Free Montessori Practical Life Videos
- Free Montessori Sensorial Videos
- Free Montessori Math Videos
- Free Montessori Language Videos
- Free Montessori Cultural Videos
- Free Montessori at Home Videos
FREE CHARACTER EDUCATION VIDEO SERIES AT MY BITS OF POSITIVITY BLOG
- Free Bucket-Filling Videos for Character Education
- Free Manners Songs for Home or Classroom
- Free Thank-You Songs and Rhymes for Home or School
- Free Gratitude Songs and Rhymes for Home or School
- Free Patience Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Kindness Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Responsibility Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Respect Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Respect is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Cooperation Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Excellence Songs and Resources {Character Education} – Excellence is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Friendship Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Friendship is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Songs about Virtues {with Character Education Themes and Unit Studies}
- Free Determination Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Determination is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Courage Songs {Character Education Resources} – Courage is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Equality and Fairness Songs {Character Education Resources} – Equality is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Inspirational Songs {Character Education Resources} – Inspiration is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Taking Turns and Sharing Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Helping Hand and Helpfulness Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Anti-Bullying Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Conservation Songs for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Relaxing Music for Studying and Concentration for Kids
- Free Curiosity Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Honesty Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Orderliness Songs and Activities {Character Education Resources}
- Free Songs about Obeying the Rules {Character Education Resources}
- Free Happy Songs for Kids {Contentment, Cheerfulness, Joyfulness Resources}
- Free Self-Control Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Educational and Song Videos about Honor
- The Best Kids’ Songs for the Holidays {Traditional Holiday Songs + Character Education Songs}
- Free Reassuring and Comforting Songs to Help Ease Kids’ Anxiety
- Free Growth Mindset Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Guided Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free 9-1-1 Songs for Kids {Non-Scary Emergency Preparedness}
- Free Disaster Preparedness Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep and Relaxation {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Teens and Adults
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Kids
- Free Guided Gratitude Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Make a Difference Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
Have fun with handwashing songs and activities. Here’s to staying healthy! 🙂
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to Teach Grace and Courtesy! I’m also one of the coauthors of the book Learn with Play – 150+ Activities for Year-round Fun & Learning!
Alison says
October 13, 2015 at 4:34 pmGreat ideas! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Blog Hop this week!
kiran says
January 20, 2016 at 5:44 amawesome Great ideas! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Blog Hop this week!