Lesson Plan
Germ-Busting Handwash Plan
Students will understand why handwashing is important and learn the correct steps to wash their hands effectively.
Establishing proper handwashing habits at a young age is crucial for preventing the spread of germs, reducing illness, and promoting a healthy classroom and home environment.
Audience
Kindergarten Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive learning and hands-on activities.
Materials
Super Soapy Hands Adventure (slide-deck), Glitter Germs Experiment (activity), and Handwashing Steps Checklist (worksheet)
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Super Soapy Hands Adventure slide deck.
- Gather glitter, lotion, and wet wipes for the Glitter Germs Experiment.
- Print copies of the Handwashing Steps Checklist for each student.
- Ensure access to a sink and soap, or hand sanitizer if a sink is not available.
Step 1
Warm-up: Germ Talk
5 minutes
- Ask students: "What are germs? Where do they live?"
- Discuss how germs are tiny, invisible things that can make us sick.
Step 2
Introduction: Why Wash Hands?
5 minutes
- Use the Super Soapy Hands Adventure slide deck to introduce the concept of handwashing and its importance.
- Focus on the idea that washing hands gets rid of germs.
Step 3
Activity: Glitter Germs Experiment
10 minutes
- Conduct the Glitter Germs Experiment.
- Explain that glitter represents germs that we can see, and how easily they spread.
- Have students try to "wash" off the glitter with just water, then with soap and water, observing the difference.
Step 4
Practice: Handwashing Steps
5 minutes
- Review the steps of handwashing using the Super Soapy Hands Adventure slide deck.
- Distribute the Handwashing Steps Checklist and go through each step together.
- Practice the motions of handwashing in the air or at a sink if available.
Step 5
Cool-down: Quick Check
5 minutes
- Ask students what they learned about handwashing.
- Have them share one time they should always wash their hands.
- Collect the Handwashing Steps Checklist for review.
Slide Deck
Super Soapy Hands Adventure!
Let's learn how to be germ-fighting superheroes!
Welcome students and get them excited about learning how to fight germs! Ask what they know about germs already.
What are Germs?
• Tiny, invisible little things
• They can make us feel yucky!
• They live everywhere: on toys, tables, and even our hands!
Explain that germs are tiny, tiny things we can't see, but they can make us sick. Ask students where they think germs might live (on toys, hands, food, etc.).
Germs on Our Hands
• We touch so many things!
• Germs jump from things to our hands.
• Sometimes we don't even know they are there!
Ask students: "How do germs get on our hands?" Explain that we touch many things and germs love to travel.
Our Superpower: Handwashing!
• Our hands can be clean, clean, clean!
• Soap and water are germ-fighting heroes!
• Washing hands helps us stay healthy!
Introduce handwashing as our superpower against germs. Emphasize that soap and water are our best friends.
Step 1: Wet Your Hands
• Turn on the water.
• Get your hands all wet.
Explain the first step: wet hands. Model turning on the water.
Step 2: Get Soapy!
• Put some soap on your hands.
• Make sure it's good, bubbly soap!
Explain the second step: add soap. Model getting soap.
Step 3: Rub-a-Dub-Dub!
• Rub your hands together.
• Get all the germs! Front, back, between fingers.
• Sing "Happy Birthday" two times!
Explain the third step: rub, rub, rub. Show how to rub hands together, front and back, between fingers. Encourage singing a song like "Happy Birthday" twice to ensure enough time.
Step 4: Rinse Them Clean
• Put your hands under the water.
• Wash all the soap and germs away!
Explain the fourth step: rinse. Model rinsing hands thoroughly under water.
Step 5: Dry, Dry, Dry
• Use a clean paper towel or air dryer.
• Make your hands all dry and cozy!
Explain the fifth step: dry hands. Model drying with a paper towel or air dryer.
When Should We Wash Hands?
• Before eating yummy food.
• After using the bathroom.
• After sneezing or coughing.
• After playing outside.
• Any time your hands feel dirty!
Summarize when to wash hands. Ask students for other times they think they should wash their hands.
You're a Germ-Fighting Hero!
• Clean hands keep you healthy!
• Clean hands keep your friends healthy!
• Keep up the super handwashing!
Conclude by reminding them they are germ-fighting superheroes! Reiterate the importance of clean hands.
Activity
Glitter Germs Experiment
Objective: To visually demonstrate how germs spread and the importance of washing hands with soap.
Materials:
- Glitter (various colors, if possible)
- Lotion or hand cream
- Wet wipes or paper towels
- Soap (liquid or bar)
- Sink with water (or a basin for water and a pitcher)
Instructions:
-
Introduce Germs (2 minutes): Start by reminding students about germs and how they are tiny and invisible, but can make us sick. Tell them, "Today, our glitter will pretend to be germs!"
-
Apply "Germs" (3 minutes):
- Have each student put a small dab of lotion on their hands and rub it in (this helps the glitter stick).
- Sprinkle a generous amount of glitter onto each student's hands. Encourage them to rub their hands together so the "germs" spread everywhere.
- Ask: "Look at all these germs! What happens when you touch your neighbor, or your clothes, or a toy?" Have them gently touch a few things to see the glitter transfer.
-
Try Washing with Water Only (3 minutes):
- Ask students to try and wash off the glitter with only water (if at a sink) or by wiping with a wet wipe.
- Observe: "Did all the germs come off? What do you notice?" (Most glitter will remain).
-
Wash with Soap and Water (7 minutes):
- Now, instruct students to use soap and water (or soap and a fresh wet wipe/paper towel if no sink). Guide them through the five steps of handwashing they just learned: wet, soap, rub, rinse, dry.
- Encourage thorough scrubbing and rinsing.
-
Observe and Discuss (5 minutes):
- After washing, have students look at their hands. "What happened to our glitter germs?" (Most should be gone).
- Discuss the difference between washing with just water and washing with soap and water.
- Reinforce the idea: "Soap helps grab onto the germs and wash them away! That's why it's so important to use soap every time!"
Worksheet
Handwashing Steps Checklist
Name: _____________________________
Be a Germ-Fighting Hero! Follow these steps to wash your hands clean!
Step 1: Wet Your Hands
- Turn on the water.
- Get your hands all wet.
Step 2: Get Soapy!
- Put some soap on your hands.
- Make sure it's good, bubbly soap!
Step 3: Rub-a-Dub-Dub!
- Rub your hands together for 20 seconds (sing "Happy Birthday" two times!).
- Get all the germs! Front, back, between fingers.
Step 4: Rinse Them Clean
- Put your hands under the water.
- Wash all the soap and germs away!
Step 5: Dry, Dry, Dry
- Use a clean paper towel or air dryer.
- Make your hands all dry and cozy!
I washed my hands today:
[ ] Before eating
[ ] After using the bathroom
[ ] After sneezing/coughing
[ ] After playing outside
[ ] Other: ______________________
Activity
Glitter Germs Experiment
Objective: To visually demonstrate how germs spread and the importance of washing hands with soap.
Materials:
- Glitter (various colors, if possible)
- Lotion or hand cream
- Wet wipes or paper towels
- Soap (liquid or bar)
- Sink with water (or a basin for water and a pitcher)
Instructions:
-
Introduce Germs (2 minutes): Start by reminding students about germs and how they are tiny and invisible, but can make us sick. Tell them, "Today, our glitter will pretend to be germs!"
-
Apply "Germs" (3 minutes):
- Have each student put a small dab of lotion on their hands and rub it in (this helps the glitter stick).
- Sprinkle a generous amount of glitter onto each student's hands. Encourage them to rub their hands together so the