Teaching good handwashing habits is vital
Described as “the most important lesson child can learn”, teaching young children to wash their hands properly with soap and water is a vital life skill. They also need to know the importance of washing hands at the right times such as after going to the toilet and before eating.
It’s important that preschool and nursery facilities are able to take a lead role in this campaign, in the light of a recent Express website report that more than half of parents facing a “battle” to get their children to comply.
The poll referred to in the article involved over 2,000 parents and carers, writes Martin Winter. Children were washing on average six times a day, compared to their parents (eight times) but, worryingly, more than 20% of kids were only washing “up to three times a day”.
Have they even been taught properly?
Another cause of concern was the reveal that 25% of parents weren’t even sure if they’ve ever taught their children how to wash their hands properly.
The article quotes a senior lecturer in microbiology at Aston University Dr Jonathan Cox, who revealed the importance of cleaning thoroughly.
“This study really highlights why it’s very important to wash hands regularly, as we come into contact with so many different bacteria from objects and contact surfaces in our home…”
Sixty percent of respondents expressed concerns about their kids bringing illness and infection into the house and half rated good hand hygiene skills as being “equally as important as their social skills”.
Over half of parents say it is a battle to get their kids to wash their hands »
A preschool teacher shows a child how to wash his hands with a KiddiSynk
Teach children effective hand washing techniques with portable sinks that can go anywhere – indoors or out
The Kiddiwash range of warm water hand wash units are perfect for smaller hands – and are ideal where a portable solution is required.
Whether you require a larger wheeled unit such as the KiddiSynk, or the ultra portable Kiddiwash Xtra, you can ensure that all children in your care are able to wash their hands whether inside or out.
