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Dad Advice: a few steps towards good hand washing skills
- STEP 1: Model good hand-washing skills. Wash your hands after going to the bathroom or when you come in from outside. Wash your toddlers’ hands at the same time
- STEP 2: Talk about washing your hands. Say things like, “Daddy washes his hands after he goes to the bathroom to wash away germs,” or, “Look at all the dirt on my hands. I want to wash that off.” Tell your children why hand washing is important
- STEP 3: Point out other people washing up. Usually doctors wash their hands before touching your child during a checkup. Notice the doctor’s hand washing by saying, “I see Dr. Brown washing germs off her hands.”
- STEP 4: Create hand-washing routines. Wash your hands before every meal and snack. The act of washing up will become second nature to your children
- STEP 5: Place a stool near a low sink for your toddlers. Make it easy for your children to reach the sink and practice washing up
- STEP 6: Let your toddlers play at the sink. Play fosters learning. Allow your children to pretend-wash toys and figurines at the sink
- STEP 7: Read books about hygiene. Immerse your children in good hygiene, and hand washing will become as natural as eating and sleeping
