Can you believe that the simple act of hand washing can keep your child healthier this winter? I was reading an article by Dr. Marz of Bass River Pediatrics where he says that young children entering preschool for the first time will spend the next 18 months or so experiencing the entire inventory of cough, cold, runny noses and viruses in the area. If you relocate the pattern continues with “new” local bugs. In fact this is a normal pattern. Your child’s immune system is not sub optimal.

Many of us take hand washing for granted as a way of staying healthy and perhaps focus on good food, sleep and exercise which are all important to our good health. Pair this with hand washing and your child’s health might improve.

What is proper hand washing? Soap and water are integral to good hand washing. Using soap and running water, hands should be rubbed vigorously together for 10 seconds, be sure to include the back of the hand, wrists, between the fingers and under the fingernails. Dry thoroughly with a paper towel and repeat as necessary throughout the day!

Great news, young children love washing their hands.  Here is a fun poem to wash to!

Little fingers like to play

In mud and paint and sand all day.

To get those fingers squeaky clean,

Wash the fronts and backs

And in between!

We used finger paint and made our handprints on a separate piece of paper and then sprinkled on a bit of corn meal “dirt” and then recited this poem. It is now hanging on the wall to remind us to wash often.

We also have fun with this poem, as we teach the children to put their coughs or sneezes into their “wings” or elbows.

If you need to cough or sneeze,

Put it in your elbow please.

Throw your tissue in the can,

Now it’s time to wash your hands!!

May these little tidbits keep you healthier this winter!