Clean hands stop germs travelling — Health, 4–6 years
Washing hands with soap and water removes many germs before they can reach food, mouths or other people. It is especially useful after the toilet, outside play and before eating.
What clean hands do
Our hands touch many things, and some tiny germs can stay on them even when we cannot see them. Soap helps loosen the germs, and rinsing carries them away. Dry hands are ready for eating, touching our face or holding a friend’s hand.
Why wash them?
The problem is that germs can travel from a door handle to our fingers, then to a snack or our mouth. People learned that cleaning hands helps reduce this journey, especially when many people share a place. We wash to protect ourselves and the people around us.
Washing before a snack
Mia comes in from the playground and wants an apple. First, she wets both hands, adds soap and rubs palms, backs, fingers and thumbs. Next, she rinses well and dries them with a clean towel. Only then does she pick up the apple to eat.
The quick rinse
A common mistake is to splash water on the hands for one second and stop. That feels sensible because the dirt we can see may disappear, but invisible germs can remain in places like between fingers. Soap, rubbing and rinsing give the hands a much better clean.
Where it helps
Handwashing matters at home, in a nursery, at the park and before sharing food. It is useful after using the toilet, blowing your nose, touching an animal or coming in from outside. Adults may help with soap, taps or drying when needed.
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