Importance of Hand Washing for Children

Hand washing is a simple but important hygiene practice that helps prevent disease. The earlier children learn the basics of hand washing, the healthier they will be. Teaching children the importance and proper method of cleaning the hands can be done in stages, as soon as the child has sufficient dexterity to turn a faucet off and on and is old enough not to try to eat the soap.

One common way cold and flu viruses (and many types of bacteria) are transmitted is when a person touches something contaminated with the virus (or bacteria) and then touches his or her face. Any parent can attest to the number of times during the day a child touches his eyes, nose or mouth. Combine this with a child's immature immune system and his exposure to many germs (from other children in school), it is no surprise children get ill so often.

Simply washing with soap and water removes many viruses and bacteria that cause illnesses. Dirt and microbes beneath the fingernails should also be taken care of. A small fingernail brush or a toothbrush (make sure it is set apart from the other toothbrushes) makes cleaning beneath fingernails much easier.

As stated earlier, a child's hands come into contact with viruses and bacteria through the course of a normal day. In addition, a child also can contract parasites, such as pinworm, by touching parasite-infested soil or surfaces and then putting her fingers in her mouth.

As soon as a child is able to dress herself (or before), she can be taught to wash her hands (supervised). Passing the hands under running water a few times is better than nothing, but it is better to follow the suggestion of the CDC and train your child to wash her hands for at least 20 seconds. Children should be taught to wash hands at least after visiting a restroom, before eating a meal, after playing outside, after playing with other children, after playing with pets and before going to bed.

Prevent scalding from hot water by supervising young children washing their hands. Alternatively, in many homes you can adjust the hot water settings to a safer temperature.

Young children do not, as a rule, grasp the concept of germs--overly emphasizing hand washing as a means to eliminate bad germs may frighten them. It may be more helpful to emphasize the positive (Look how clean your hands are!) or make up age-appropriate washing songs to sing during hand washing.