Learn about importance of washing your hands properly.
Happy Hands
Why hand washing is important, and how to do it properly
Resource
- HWB 0-15a - I am developing my understanding of the human body and can use this knowledge to maintain and improve my wellbeing and health.
- HWB 0-33a
- HWB 1-15a - I am developing my understanding of the human body and can use this knowledge to maintain and improve my wellbeing and health.
- HWB 1-16a
- HWB 1-33a - I am becoming aware of how cleanliness, hygiene and safety can affect health and wellbeing and I apply this knowledge in my everyday routines such as taking care of my teeth.
- we are learning to talk about the importance of washing hands correctly
- we are learning when and why to wash our hands
- I can explain and show steps to washing my hands
- I can explain why it is important to wash my hands
Setting up
- P1, P2 – teach about the topic as pupils are at an age when they can still learn this and may not have much experience of hand washing
- P3 and above – should have already learned this topic and it is more about reinforcing and consolidation
- hand washing is closely linked to cross contamination so this lesson could be combined with another lesson looking at cross contamination e.g Germ Outbreak
Activity
Warm up/introduction:
- Chalk on children’s hands (different colours representing different bacteria).
- Children play for 5 minutes everyone gathers back together or ask children to talk about something they have touched today e.g. door handle/toilet flusher etc.
Discussion of results of warm up:
- pupils to point out areas covered in chalk and using 'I see, I think, I wonder' exercise - discuss in detail
- pupils use 'I see, I think, I wonder' exercise to discuss the things they have touched today
The FSS 8 handwashing steps:
- Explain each step outlined in the worksheet
- Pupils wash hands using 8 steps to clean off chalk/paint/glitter
- Discuss areas that can easily be missed
- Pupils to make a song and dance to the 8 steps
- Sing song or dance while washing hands using the 8 steps
Create a poster
Pupils design posters to promote hand washing for the school and classroom.
Cross-curricular links
Maths – counting the 8 steps
Literacy – listening and talking
Literacy / functional writing – writing / reading 8 steps
Expressive arts – song, dance
Art – designing poster
Assessment opportunities
Observations
- SAY – I can explain and show steps to washing my hands
- SAY – I can explain why it is important to wash my hands
Consider CfE Benchmarks, for example:
- explains the importance of daily hygiene routines, for example, hand washing, teeth brushing and body cleanliness
Differentiation
Support
Use visuals of germs.
Challenge
- interactive 8 steps, pupils have to fill in captions for each step
- teach younger pupils the 8 steps
- record a video for a TV ad teaching the correct way to wash hands for younger years
- homework: Tally chart to record how many times a day pupils wash their hands, can also include parents and family