Hand washing is a preventative care measure. Done thoroughly for 15 seconds, it can remove 90% of bacteria that is on your hands, reducing the risk of those germs coming into contact with other parts of you, like your face. Kids often forget to perform this action. However, the following guide offers tips for encouraging them to have better hygiene.

How to Get Kids to Wash Their Hands More

1. Bubble Battles

After running warm water and dispensing the soap, show your kids how to form bubbles with their hands. They can compete against you or their siblings to see who can form the biggest one. In the process, they will spend more time at the task.

Alternatively, you can buy them special soap that foams out of the dispenser or which features their favorite character to encourage their more active participation in preventative care.

2. Get Them a Step Stool

Small children struggle with being able to comfortably reach the running water. Therefore, keep a step stool in the bathroom that they can use to reach the faucet and soap comfortably.

For those still developing their grip strength, it can also help to replace knob faucets with lever systems.

If you haven’t already, also fix the temperature limiter on the faucet so that children can’t get scalded by too-hot water. This is usually a plastic or metal disk that you can view after pulling off the faucet handle. It can be twisted to control the maximum temperature.

3. Sing a Song

Pick a popular song with a chorus of at least twenty seconds and have your child wash their hands to the chorus. Not only will this make the process seem more fun, but it can teach them to keep scrubbing for the correct amount of time. Singing “Happy Birthday” twice is a common option, but they could also choose the chorus of “Raspberry Beret” by Prince, “Love on Top” by Beyonce, or “Hey Jude” by the Beatles.

You and your family deserve high-quality preventative care, and that’s what Dumas Family Practice has to offer residents of Moore County, TX. With over 26 years of service, they provide immunizations as well as treatments for acute illnesses. Schedule an appointment by calling (806) 935-9005. Visit their website to download new patient forms.