It’s back-to-school time, and while we’re all excited for new classes, fresh notebooks, and reuniting with friends, there’s one unwelcome guest we’d rather not invite: the back-to-school cold. But guess what? We have the perfect plan to make sure this school year is full of smiles and learning, not sniffles and sneezes!

Why Handwashing is Your Best Defense
Handwashing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep germs at bay. It’s easy to overlook, but teaching our kids the importance of washing their hands regularly can make a huge difference in keeping them healthy. Germs are sneaky little things that love to hop from hands to faces, especially during the school year. So, let’s outsmart them!

Teaching Handwashing with Lil’ Iguana
To make learning about handwashing fun and memorable, start with Lil’ Iguana’s “I Wash My Hands” video. It’s a catchy tune that not only gets stuck in your head (in a good way) but also helps kids remember the proper way to wash their hands. Watching and listening to the video together is a great way to kick off the conversation about why washing hands is so important.

Sharing Smiles, Not Germs: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Here are some simple, actionable steps to help your kiddos stay healthy by washing their hands:

• Sing While You Scrub: Encourage your child to sing their favorite song while washing their hands. This helps them wash for at least 20 seconds, which is the recommended time to get rid of most germs. Whether it’s their favorite song or the chorus of “I Wash My Hands,” singing makes it fun and ensures they’re scrubbing long enough.

• Top, Bottom, and All Around: Teach your kids to wash the tops and bottoms of their hands, between their fingers, and around their wrists and nails. These spots are often missed but can harbor lots of germs.

• Warm Water & Soap Are Key: Make sure they use warm water and plenty of soap. The combination is what really helps lift the germs off their hands and sends them down the drain.

• Before & After: Remind them to wash their hands before and after eating, after playing outside, and after playing with toys or pets. These are prime times when germs like to stick around.

• Cough & Sneeze Etiquette: Teach your kiddos to cough and sneeze into their elbows or a tissue—not their hands. This helps prevent germs from spreading to everything they touch.

Making It Routine
The more consistent we are with handwashing, the more it becomes second nature for our kids. By making it part of their daily routine, they’ll be better equipped to keep those pesky germs away. And the best part? Healthy kids mean more time for learning, playing, and sharing smiles instead of tissues.

So, as we dive into this exciting new school year, let’s make sure we’re also teaching our kids to stay healthy and happy. With a little soap, warm water, and some catchy tunes, we can keep those germs at bay and make this year one of the best yet!

Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep those hands clean!