Hand Washing

Hand Washing Lesson Plan for Kids

Students will learn that tiny germs can be spread both in the air and on surfaces. Without practicing healthy habits, such as handwashing, we risk getting sick. In this lesson, students will learn about the reasons we wash our hands, the correct way to wash our hands, and how to promote handwashing.

Text saying "calling all kids: be a handwashing expert"

Download the Handwashing Lesson Plan

Hand Washing Lesson Plan

Goals and Skills

Students Will:

Understand that germs can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching
Understand that one way to help prevent the spread of germs is by handwashing
Learn the correct procedure for washing hands
Learn when we should wash our hands

Supplies and Preparation:

One bowl of water per child
Ground black pepper
Dish soap
Poster paper
Art supplies
Video recording device (extension activity)

Background for Teachers

Visit the CDC’s Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives page to learn more about the spread of COVID-19 and the importance of handwashing. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

Instruction Steps

Explain

Washing our hands is one of the best things we can do to avoid getting ourselves or others sick. When we do not wash our hands, we spread our germs, which can make us and others sick. These germs spread quickly from one person to another through little droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks.

If we touch our eyes, nose, or mouth, these droplets can enter our bodies and make us sick. When we touch different surfaces with our hands, we are also spreading our germs. These germs can remain on a surface from a few hours to several days.

Child using a block of soap to wash hands

Discuss

Mimic the proper handwashing steps with your hands. Have students follow along with their hands.

Wet your hands with water and apply enough soap to be able to cover your hands
Rub the palms of your hands together. Be sure to include in between and behind your fingers.
Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds (enough time to sing "Happy Birthday" twice).
Rinse your hands with water
Dry your hands with a paper towel and use a towel to turn off the faucet

It is especially important that we remember to wash our hands during these important times:

Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
After using the bathroom
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage

Create

To teach students about the importance of handwashing and stopping the spread of germs, complete the following science experiment:

Fill a bowl with water and add ground black pepper to the top of it
Tell students to think of the pepper as the germs that get on our hands
Have students place their finger in the bowl of water and make note of how the pepper (germs) stay on their finger
Have students rinse their hands
Then, have students place a small dot of dish soap onto their finger
Next, have the students place their finger with soap in the bowl again
Have students make note of how the pepper spreads. Explain that when we wash our hands with soap, the pepper (germs) does not stay on our hands.

Reinforce the idea that when we wash our hands with soap and water for the correct amount of time, we help prevent germs from spreading.

Have students create their own handwashing posters to place by the sink. Make sure they include the steps on how to properly wash their hands.

Extensions/Add-ons

If time allows, extend the lesson by creating a 20-second song that reminds students about washing hands and using soap and water. Practice singing the song with students when they wash their hands. Have students practice the song at home with their family.

Have students create a video about the importance of handwashing. Students will write a script discussing how and when to wash our hands. Have the videos played at school during announcements or in the younger students' classrooms to promote this healthly habit.

Home Connection

Talk to parents about the importance of handwashing at home. Suggest to parents that they can work with their child to create a daily chart that will keep track of how many times family members wash their hands. Discuss as a family why we wash our hands and reiterate when we should wash our hands.