Helpful Tips for Hand Washing Here are some ways to motivate your child to start washing those hands -- without you even asking.  Take it one step at a time.
The goal is for your child to remember when to wash, how to wash, and to take the initiative without you having to ask. Go over the steps mentioned in the How to Do it section and wash your hands with your child every day at regular times. But take your "teaching" slow. Encourage your child to do a little more each time, and don't expect perfection. Find the fun. Turn hand washing into a game rather than a chore. You might fill the sink with bubbles when you lather up with soap. To make sure your child spends enough time soaping up, try counting to 15 together or singing your child's favorite song. Or, make up your own song and sing along. Coach your child in a positive way. Empowering kids is a process. Instead of correcting or nagging, you might say, "Great job turning on the water and rinsing. Let's try it again with soap." Don't expect your child to remember all the steps at once. Praise your child for what is done well, instead of focusing on what is done wrong. This will help to boost your child's confidence. Don't be a microbe-manager. Hovering over every step or action may actually backfire. If you direct all of the action, your child may not learn to do it herself. On the other hand, if you leave your child totally alone, she may not learn to wash correctly. Take a wait-and-see approach – with hand washing, there's always a next time. Wash your hands with your child. Instead of saying, "Did you wash your hands?" try "Let's wash our hands together. It's almost dinnertime." Do this together every day, and little by little, your child may start washing without you having to ask.  Ask your child to teach a favorite doll or toy animal how to wash its hands.
Kids love to "be the parent." So ask your child to show a doll or toy animal how to wash and explain why it's important. You can even take the part of the student, pretending "I don't want to. I'm too busy playing." Be silly. You might ask, "Does the soap go on my head?" Don't blame your child for not washing regularly—or well. Many kids (particularly preschoolers) are still learning this skill. Instead of scolding or nagging, you might say, "Let me check to see if your hands are super-clean." This puts the focus on the important part -- getting clean --and off of your child for being forgetful. By Myself, For Myself "Children's natural desire to be big kids will motivate them to master the skills needed to wash their hands. Whenever possible, offer an empowering choice, such as ‘What song should we wash to?' or ‘Which towel do you want to use?' "Children's confidence and abilities don't always match. Staying close by can make a huge difference. It's a paradox that doing things together helps your child do it on their own. But by giving kids a sense of safety and security, we are encouraging their independence. Soon your child might be saying, ‘I'm a big kid and I wash my own hands by myself and nobody needs to remind me.'" Dr. Lawrence Cohen
Kandoo®'s Parenting Expert
Author, Playful Parenting
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