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:
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- 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:
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- 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.
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Handwashing is a great Montessori practical life lesson with steps that can improve the child’s order, concentration, coordination, and independence.
Here’s a lovely handwashing video showing Montessori in action: “Handwashing” by The Cobb Montessori School
How we wash hands in Montessori, which is important, and especially in Corona crisis – Montessori Institute Prague
Here are some helpful tips on the “Techniques of Hand Washing” from OSCE Pediatrics.
Free Handwashing Resources
If your child doesn’t like to wash his or her hands, get some inspiration from Zeke the chameleon!
Washing Hands Song from Teaching Mama
Free “Washing Hands” Song printable from Teaching Mama
Handwashing Poster from Childhood 101
“Teaching Kids about Germs and Handwashing” from Childhood 101
Free Handwashing Posters, Activity Sheets & Other Materials from File Folder Heaven
Every Star Is Different has a post on the immune system and personal hygiene with creative hands-on activities and free printables. To find that post, go to the site’s top header to the link for Free Printables to Thematic Activities and Free Printables to Human Body to My Body: The Immune System. You’ll also get free resources if you’re a newsletter subscriber. (Their newsletter sign-up link is at the top of the site, too.)
Sesame Street Free “Handwashing: Step by Step” Cards
Free handwashing printable from Scholastic
How to Get Kids to Wash Their Hands Properly (Photo by Jojoebi)
How to Get Kids to Wash Their Hands Properly (Cinnamon Magic) by Jojoebi
Free Handwashing Posters, Activity Sheets & Other Materials from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Free Handwashing Resources from Teachers Pay Teachers
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)
The “Happy Handwashing Song” works especially well with babies and young toddlers. By the time they’re older toddlers, they’re typically very comfortable with it:
You can read more about how I use it with very young children here.
I’m Washing My Hands (another great handwashing song for very young children) – musicwithnancy
“Nursery Rhyme – Wash Your Hands” (sing 2 times through)
Germs Germs Go Away | Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood | PBS KIDS
Healthy Habits Playlist (includes a number of 20-second handwashing songs with timers) from PBS Kids
20 Seconds Hand washing Song | Baby Shark Hand Washing | Safe Hands | Baby Shark Official
Wash Your Hands with Baby Shark | Baby Shark Hand Wash Challenge | Baby Shark Official
Get a free handwashing poster at the bottom of the Pinkfong Sing Play Learn at Home Page.
#BabySharkHandWashChallengePlaylist
Wash Your Hands Dance with Baby Shark | Join #BabySharkHandWashChallenge | Pinkfong Songs for Kids
“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”
Wash Your Hands Song | The Singing Walrus
Songs about clean hands with Rachel Coleman from Signing Time | Rachel & Me
“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
Wash My Hands | Learn to Wash your Hands Song | Jack Hartmann
Proper Hand Hygiene with Dr. Diana Chen | UCLA Health
Montessori-Inspired Hygiene Resources
See my “Montessori-Inspired Hygiene Lessons to Help Kids Stay Healthy” for ideas that extend the handwashing lessons.
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All the Posts in My Free Song and Educational Video Series
Free Songs about Skills and Concepts – in alphabetical order by words in bold
- Free Songs about 100 {Free Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time}
- Free Baby Sign Language Videos {Signs and Songs}
- Favorite Clean Up Song
- Free Clean Up Songs (Tidy Up Songs) and Rhymes
- Free Back-to-School Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time {Including Days of the Week, Months, and Seasons}
- Free Educational Songs for Circle Time
- Educational Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays Pinterest Board
- Handwashing Activities for Kids – Free Songs and Lessons
- Fun with Handwashing + Handwashing Song by a 2 Year Old
- Free Kissing Hand Songs, Poems, and Videos to Ease Separation Anxiety
- 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 Teddy Bear Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free & Fun Toilet Learning Songs {Potty Songs} for Toddlers
Free Unit Study Songs and Educational Videos – in alphabetical order by words in bold
- Free Arctic Animal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Arctic vs. Antarctic Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Bird Sounds, Songs, and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Endangered Animal Songs and Educational Videos {Save the Animals}
- Free Fire Safety Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Fruit and Vegetable Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Months and Seasons Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Peace Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Ocean Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Oviparous Animal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Penguin Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Royal Tea Party Videos {Grace and Courtesy Resources}
- Free Solar System Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Spring Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Summer Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Tree Songs and Educational Videos {Learn about Trees, Apple Trees, and Seasons}
- Free Volcano and Earthquake Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Winter Songs and Educational Videos
Free Seasonal and Holiday Songs – in order by time of year, starting with back to school in August or early September
- 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 Winter Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Hanukkah Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Christmas 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 Chinese New Year Songs and Rhymes for Circle Timed
- 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 Songs and Educational Videos for Mardi Gras/Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday
- Free Pi Songs and Educational Videos for Pi Day
- Free St. Patrick’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Spring Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Spring Songs and Educational Videos
- 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 Juneteenth Songs and Educational Videos
- 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 Summer Songs and Educational Videos
- Free and Fun Family Road Trip Songs
Free Video Resources Posts – in alphabetical order by words in bold
- Free Montessori at Home Videos
- Free Montessori Cultural Videos
- Free Montessori Language Videos
- Free Montessori Math Videos
- Free Montessori Practical Life Videos
- Free Montessori Sensorial Videos
- Free Montessori Video Lessons Online
Free Character Education and Mindfulness Video Series at my Bits of Positivity Blog
Note: These are in alphabetical order by words in bold.
- Free 9-1-1 Songs for Kids {Non-Scary Emergency Preparedness}
- Free Anti-Bullying Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Bucket-Filling Videos for Character Education
- Free Conservation Songs for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Cooperation Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Courage Songs {Character Education Resources} – Courage is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Curiosity Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Determination Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Determination is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Disaster Preparedness Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Equality and Fairness Songs {Character Education Resources} – Equality is one of the Paralympic values.
- 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 Gratitude Songs and Rhymes for Home or School
- Free Growth Mindset Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Kids
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Teens and Adults
- Free Guided Gratitude Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Gratitude Meditations {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep and Relaxation {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Happy Songs for Kids {Contentment, Cheerfulness, Joyfulness Resources}
- Free Helping Hand and Helpfulness Songs {Character Education Resources}
- The Best Kids’ Songs for the Holidays {Traditional Holiday Songs + Character Education Songs}
- Free Honesty Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Educational and Song Videos about Honor
- Free Inspirational Songs {Character Education Resources} – Inspiration is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Kindness Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Leadership Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Make a Difference Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Manners Songs for Home or Classroom
- Free Mindfulness Songs for Kids
- Free Multicultural Songs Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion {Character Education Resources}
- Free Songs about Obeying the Rules {Character Education Resources}
- Free Orderliness Songs and Activities {Character Education Resources}
- Free Patience Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Reassuring and Comforting Songs to Help Ease Kids’ Anxiety
- Free Relaxing Music for Studying and Concentration for Kids
- Free Relaxing Ocean Images, Sounds, and Music for Kids and Adults {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Respect Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Respect is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Responsibility Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Self-Control Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Taking Turns and Sharing Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Thank-You Songs and Rhymes for Home or School
- Free Songs about Virtues {with Character Education Themes and Unit Studies}
I hope you find these helpful!
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