Washing Hands
Materials:
Color Coded
Apron
Low table with waterproof top
Basin
Pitcher with water
Soap in a soap dish
Hand towel
Drying cloth
Bucket
Floor underlay
(Hand lotion optional)
(Ring dish optional)
Following Exercise:
Nail brush in a dish
Purposes:
Visual Motor Coordination
Development of a Sense of Order by Following a Sequence of Steps
Functional Independence
Age: 3 ½ - 4 ½
Preparation: The child should be confident in pouring water and has been shown how to wash their hands at the sink.
Presentation:
Guide the child to the table with the exercise and invite them for the lesson on washing hands.
Each will need an apron. Ask the child if they need help putting it on (this may be their first time wearing one)
Remove jewelry and push up sleeves.
Model how to fill the pitcher 2/3 full and return it to the table.
Pour 2/3 of the water into the basin.
Show the child there is water left and set the pitcher on the underlay under the table.
Place both hands palm down in the basin, then turn them over, turn them back.
Lift hands out of the water fingers pointing down, palms together, and let the water drip.
Take the bar of soap and get a good lather onto one of your hands and set it back into the dish.
Slowly rub the palms together, then the top of one hand, then the wrist, and then each finger by holding the finger in the other hand.
Switch hands and repeat.
Show the child your soapy hands.
Rinse and let hands drip in the same manner as wetting the hands.
Take the hand towel and dry one hand at a time in the same sequence as they were washed.
Move the bucket out from under the table. Pour the basin into the bucket.
Pour the rest of the water into the basin and return the pitcher under the table.
Lift the basin and swirl the water in the basin to rinse it.
Pour the water into the bucket and replace the basin.
Wipe any drips.
Ask the child to empty the bucket.
When the child returns, invite them to wash their hands and tell them you will come back to show them how to clean up.
Fade and observe.
Cleanup
Return for clean-up and wipe the basin and the table. Place the pitcher in the basin
Ask them to feel the towels and tell them that wet towels are hung to dry.
Take the child to the drying rack and show them how to hang the towel .
Show the child where the replacement towels are.
Allow the child to get and replace the towels.
Fold aprons.
Points of Interest:
Applying enough soap.
Letting the drips fall.
Swirling water in the basin without spilling.
Washing and drying each finger.
Following Exercises:
Using the nail brush
Pedagogical Notes:
If the basin and bucket are not cleaned daily, they will get a buildup of soap scum.
This new way to wash hands is not practical, but it is enticing. Children love water and the sequence of steps to soap and dry the hands.
