Handwashing Steps Handout

Follow the five steps below to wash your hands properly. After you practice each step, write down any observations or reminders in the space provided.

1. Wet Hands & Apply Soap

• Turn on warm water and wet your hands thoroughly.
• Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces.

Your Notes:

2. Palm to Palm & Between Fingers

• Rub your palms together, palm to palm.
• Interlace your fingers and rub the soap between them.

Your Notes:

3. Back of Hands & Thumbs

• Place the back of your left hand against your right palm and rub.
• Repeat with the other hand.
• Wrap your right thumb with your left fingers and scrub; switch sides.

Your Notes:

4. Fingertips & Nails

• Rub your fingertips and nails in the palm of your opposite hand.
• Make sure to clean under your nails.

Your Notes:

5. Rinse Well & Dry with Towel

• Rinse all soap off under running water.
• Dry your hands completely with a clean paper towel.

Your Notes:

Reflect:

• How long did you scrub? ______ seconds
  
  
• Which step was most challenging, and why?
  
  
  
  
• How will you remind yourself to use all five steps every time you wash your hands?

Germ Transmission Poster

What Are Germs?

Germs are microscopic organisms—bacteria and viruses—that live almost everywhere: on our skin, in the air, and on everyday objects.

How Germs Travel

1. Direct Contact
   • When you shake hands or hug someone who has germs on their skin.
2. Indirect Contact
   • Touching surfaces (door knobs, desks, electronic devices) where germs have landed.
   • Picking up germs on your hands and then touching your face.
3. Droplet Spread
   • Coughs, sneezes, or talking can send tiny droplets carrying germs into the air or onto surfaces.
4. Contaminated Objects
   • Sharing items like pens, water bottles, or sports equipment can pass germs from person to person.

Common Hotspots for Germs

• Door handles & light switches
• Faucet knobs & soap dispensers
• Keyboard keys & touch screens
• Lunch tables & cafeteria trays
• Shared supplies (scissors, markers, books)

Stop Germs in Their Tracks

• Wash your hands using the 5 steps in the Handwashing Steps Handout.
• Use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds—sing “Happy Birthday” twice!
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces regularly.

Remember: Every time you wash your hands, you break the chain of germ transmission and help keep yourself—and everyone around you—healthy!

Teacher Script: Clean Hands, Healthy Lives

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher (smiling): “Good morning, everyone! Today we’re going to discover how washing our hands can keep us—and our community—healthy. Let’s start by talking. Why do you think handwashing might help prevent illness?”
Pause for 2–3 student responses.

Teacher: “Great ideas! I’m going to display a visual that shows how germs spread.”
(Display Germ Transmission Poster on the board/projector.)
Teacher: “This poster tells us germs live all around us—on door handles, desks, even our own skin. How do you think germs move from one person or surface to another?”
Invite 2–3 volunteers; prompt with: “Can you give an example from your own day—maybe at school or home?”

2. Video Exploration (7 minutes)

Teacher: “Now, let’s watch a short video that simulates how germs travel from hand to hand and surface to surface. As you watch, note any moments when germs jump onto someone or something new.”
(Play Germ Simulation Video.)
Allow video to play (about 2–3 minutes). Pause if needed to highlight points.

Teacher: “Okay, hands down. What did you notice about how quickly germs spread?”
Record answers on the board. Follow up: “Why is that important for our everyday choices, like touching shared supplies or opening doors?”

3. Technique Demonstration (8 minutes)

Teacher: “Next, we’ll learn the five essential steps to wash away germs effectively. I’m handing out the Handwashing Steps Handout now.”
(Distribute handouts.)

Teacher (at sink station): “Step 1: Wet your hands and apply soap. Step 2: Rub palm to palm and between your fingers. Step 3: Scrub the backs of your hands and your thumbs. Step 4: Clean under your nails and fingertips. And Step 5: Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel. Each time, aim for at least 20 seconds—about the length of singing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice.”
Model each step slowly, narrating exactly what you’re doing.

Teacher: “Now it’s your turn! Head to the sink stations in groups of three. Practice all five steps, timing yourself. I’ll come around to give feedback.”
Circulate for 5 minutes, giving specific praise (“Great thumbs cleaning!”) and corrections (“Try rubbing between your fingers a bit more”).

4. Group Reflection (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s regroup here. What surprised you about the way germs traveled or about the handwashing steps?”
Call on 3–4 students. Prompt: “Why do you think that detail was important?”

Teacher: “Think about your daily routine. When are three times during your day that you should wash your hands?”
Have students shout out examples (e.g., before lunch, after recess, after coughing). Record them.

5. Assessment & Closure (5 minutes)

Teacher: “To wrap up, I’m going to ask you to recite the five handwashing steps in order. When it’s your turn, say them out loud.”
Point to a volunteer.
Teacher: “Go ahead, Maya.”
Student: “Step 1, wet hands and apply soap; Step 2, palm to palm and between fingers….”
Teacher: “Excellent! Thumbs up if you feel confident you can do this on your own.”
Scan the room for raised thumbs.

Teacher (closing): “Remember: washing your hands is the simplest way to stop germs and keep everyone safe. Great work today—let’s all make handwashing a daily habit!”