Handwashing skills are so important for toddlers and preschoolers, both for cleanliness and to help with disease prevention. Fortunately, handwashing can be lots of fun! My 2-year-old granddaughter, Zoey, is a good example of just how much fun a Montessori toddler can have with simple handwashing.
Fun with Handwashing + Handwashing Song by a 2 Year Old – YouTube Video
Every day when we return from the park, I ask Zoey, “What’s the first thing we do when we get back from the park?” She says, “Wash our hands!”
Here she demonstrates her handwashing and the handwashing song she uses each day. This makes me laugh each time I see it!
Fun with Handwashing
The time to teach good handwashing habits is when children are toddlers. We’ve been working on this for awhile, and Zoey absolutely loves it. We spend the most time with handwashing after a trip to the park and spending time in the sandbox, petting neighborhood dogs, and exploring nature.
The handwashing song is meant to be sung 2 times through to thoroughly clean hands for at least 20 seconds. Of course, most toddlers will want to do more than 2 times through!
I loved in the video when Zoey had to check her hands and decided they were still “very dirty.”
The whole process is a happy event. Regular handwashing from an early age became a natural habit for my kids, and I expect Montessori lessons will make it a natural habit for Zoey as she grows up, too.
Handwashing Resources
Little Partners 3-in-1 Growing Step Stool (You can read my review here.) A safe step stool is essential because toddlers tend to get absorbed in their handwashing. This one has been perfect for us!
Update: In the video, you’ll see liquid hand soap in a disposable pump. Now I use natural liquid soap in a reusable foaming soap pump with the soap mixed at one part soap to five parts water.
“Happy Handwashing Song”
This is our handwashing song, except that we sing (making a change in the second line):
Wash hands well each day.
Keep those germs away.
Scrub with soap and water.
And be on your way.
I have a post with lots of handwashing songs and Montessori-inspired handwashing lessons.
I also have a post with Montessori-inspired hygiene lessons to help kids stay healthy.
Handwashing songs are also helpful for toddlers who are working on toilet learning. Toilet learning songs and handwashing songs can work well together.
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