Recommended Age: 2 and ½ years and onwards
Level of Parent Involvement: High during the initial presentation, you must stay with the child to show them each step, once the child has been shown and the activity is set up for the child, they may repeat the activity independently
Prerequisites
- The child should have had some experience in pouring water from a jug
- The child should have some level of control of movement and be able to carry objects level
- This activity entails a sequence of steps, when the young child begins this exercise they may not necessarily be able to complete the activity in sequence from beginning to end, this takes time or is more expected from an older child. Work which requires the child to participate in a sequence of steps builds the child’s concentration
Materials
- Apron
- Hand basin (preferably with a lip) with matching jug
- 2 containers (for placing soap and nail brush)
- Soap
- Nail brush
- Hand towel
- Bucket
- Drying cloth
- Hand cream dispenser with hand cream
- Ring/watch holder
- Low waterproof table with above laid out on (or a low table with plastic covering)
- Sponge
Preparation
- Set up the table with the above materials (see photo below)
Steps
- Invite the child, letting them know that today you will be showing them ‘hand washing’, put on your apron, the child may put their apron on (assist if necessary)
- Take off any jewellery (rings, watch etc) and place in the ring/watch holder
- Invite the child to get water in the jug, the child may pour the water from the jug into the basin, move the empty jug to the side of the table out of the way
- Place your left hand into the bowl, palm down, then turn your hand over with your palm facing up, raise your hand with your fingers pointing down to allow all the water to drip off
- Repeat for your right hand
- Pick up the soap with your right hand and move the soap back and forth onto the palm of your left hand, then place the soap back
- Run your left and right palms together using your right palm to run the top of your left hand and your left palm to run the top of your right hand
- Use your right hand to now rub the soap down each left finger and down your left thumb from top to bottom, repeat for your right fingers and thumb
- Rub around your wrists, left hand rubs right wrist, right hand rubs left wrist
- Place your right hand in the basin, palm down to rinse the soap off, fingers pointing down to allow all water to drip off, repeat with your left hand
- Pick up the towel with your right hand, pat dry your palm and back of your left hand, transfer towel to your left and dry your right hand
- Now hold the towel in your right hand and dry each finger and thumb of your left hand and wrist, transfer the towel into your left hand and dry your right fingers, thumb and wrist
- Let the child know the hand towel is now dirty, place it in the laundry basket
- Pour the water from the basin into the bucket, invite the child to empty the bucket
- When the child returns show the child how wipe the basin clean with the sponge
- Use a drying cloth to dry the basin, bucket and any drops of water on the table
- Refill the jug with water (warm water if it’s a cold day)
- Invite the child to wash their hands, leaving them to work independently, coming back to help if needed
Variations
- Using a nail brush, nail brush is used after hands have been soaped but before rinsing
- Applying hand cream, applied at the end using the same movements as for applying soap
