Handwashing Activities for Kids - Free Songs and Lessons

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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:

- 1. Wash hands in warm water.
  2. Use soap and lather up for about 20 seconds. Get in between the fingers and under the nails. Wash the wrists, too.
  3. Rinse hands.
  4. 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

Posts in the Free Songs for Circle Time Series

Free Character Education Songs Series at my Bits of Positivity Blog

Montessori-Inspired Hygiene Resources

See my “Montessori-Inspired Hygiene Lessons to Help Kids Stay Healthy” for ideas the extend the handwashing lessons.

Have fun with handwashing songs and activities. Here’s to staying healthy! 🙂

Montessori at Home or School - How to Teach Grace and Courtesy eBook

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!

Photo Credit: Image at top of post by habun

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