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Handouts: English (82.7 K PDF) | Spanish (91.32 K PDF)

Activity 2 - Hand Washing Songs

(suggested age group: preschool - third grade; or let facilitator decide)

Before the Session

Consider the ages of the children you will be teaching, and decide which song will be most appropriate for them. Very young children will likely know “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” while first- to second-graders will know “The Alphabet Song.” The “Hand Washing Rap” may be appropriate for older children.

Begin the Session

(1) If you have met with the children previously, remind them of what you talked about and ask what they remember. Ask: What have you tried since we last met? Congratulate the children on what they have accomplished, and encourage them to try the new skills or behaviors that you are teaching. (2) Today’s lesson: briefly explain its purpose and some of the activities.

1. Introduce the topic: Ask the children if they know what germs are, and that they can make us sick. Tell the children that washing our hands is the single most important way that we can help keep germs from spreading, and keep people from getting sick.

2. Tell the children: When washing our hands, we start with warm water, lather up with soap, and scrub our hands for 20 seconds. We need to be careful to clean between all of the fingers and beneath the fingernails.

   Note: Demonstrate the hand washing steps, if possible.

3. Tell the children: To make sure that we scrub our hands for 20 seconds, let’s practice while singing (name the song). The song takes about 20 seconds to sing - if you don’t rush through it!

   If you select the “Hand Washing Rap,” give the children the “Hand Washing Rap” handout. Ask the children if they have heard this song before. First, read the rap all the way through to the class. Then ask the children to repeat each line after you say it, and finally, say the rap in unison with the class.

   Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
   (Traditional, Author Unknown)

   Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
   How I wonder what you are.
   Up above the world so high,
   Like a diamond in the sky.
   Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
   How I wonder what you are!

   The Alphabet Song
   (Traditional, Author Unknown)

   A - B - C - D - E - F - G,
   H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P.
   Q - R - S and T - U - V,
   W - X and Y and Z,
   Now I know my A - B - C’s;
   Next time won’t you sing with me?

   Hand Washing Rap*

   You gotta’ wash your hands, and
   You gotta’ wash ‘em right,
   Don’t give in to germs
   Without a fight.

   Use water that’s warm
   And lots of soapy bubbles,
   These are your weapons for preventing germ troubles.

   Don’t cut your time short
   Your fingers-get between-
   It takes 20 seconds
   To make sure they’re clean.

   Gotta’ wash, gotta’ wash
   Gotta’ wash your hands,
   Gotta’ wash, gotta’ wash
   Gotta’ wash your hands.

   * “Hand Washing Rap” lyrics by Operation RISK team of Michigan State University Extension and the MSU College of Human Ecology. Used with permission.

Conclusions

Tell the children: When washing our hands, we start with warm water, lather up with soap, and scrub our hands for 20 seconds. We need to be sure to clean between all of the fingers and beneath the fingernails. Scrubbing for 20 seconds is important, but we often forget to scrub for the full 20 seconds. Singing the song we just practiced while scrubbing helps us to remember to scrub for the right length of time.

Check for Understanding and Behavior Change

Ask the children to state one idea that they learned and plan to use during the next week. Ask others if they also might plan to try that idea during the week.

Also ask the children:

1. How do you plan to wash your hands from now on?
2. What do you plan to change about how you wash your hands?

Thank the children for allowing you to share information with them. Ask for final questions and discussion. Provide some information or teaser about the next session.

References and Resources

Michigan State University Extension and the MSU College of Human Ecology Operation RISK team: “Hand Washing Rap” lyrics.