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For my birthday Little M gave me the sweetest gift… “Since it’s your birthday I will actually wash my hands.” Actually wash your hands eh? As opposed to all the other times you go into the bathroom and don’t ACTUALLY wash your hands. Hmmm…. interesting.
I posted this funny little comment on Facebook and was given the greatest idea from one of my many awesome readers. A visual, fun and hands on way to teach kids about the importance of washing their hands. (Thanks Sheena!)
Now that we are smack dab in the middle of cold and flu season I think it’s time to revisit this one! The cleaner they are getting their hands the better for everyone!
Hand Washing Fun (and learning)
what you’ll need ~ Cinnamon ~Oil ~Paper Towel ~Soap ~Water
I poured about a tablespoon of oil onto Little M’s hands and shook cinnamon all over them. She loves a mess… so of course she played with it for a bit.
To get her thinking I asked her to wash her hands. I turned on the cold water and waited. Since I wanted her to make the connection on her own about what was happening I asked questions instead of telling her what I saw.
“What do you see happening?” “Interesting. Is that what you expected? What did you expect?”
I asked Little M to press her hands onto the paper towel.
“What do you notice?” “What would happen if you went to play right now?” “Now what?”
Little M suggested we try using soap in our hand washing. If you little one offers a different solution let them try it. Learning is far more effective when kids see for themselves rather than being told something won’t work.
This worked like a charm… but I wasn’t quite done. I had Little M inspect her hands for cinnamon.
“What about in between your fingers? What about the back of your hands?” “How can you wash differently to make sure you get all of those places?”
Once Little M was satisfied that her hands were clean it was time for me to add in a little something extra. I pretended to sneeze on my hand. Then explained how germs stick just like cinnamon. (They are invisible but they are there.) I started to wash with water and was quickly corrected. Yep, she got the message… now it was her turn to teach me.
How do you keep your little one smiling on sick days?
My daughter likes watching Nick Jr. when she’s under the weather.
When my kids are sick I usually give them a new coloring book, so we can color together or play Tic Tac Toe.
Great lesson!
My children love snuggling while watching television when they are feeling under the weather.
My smart-alec kid has shown me his hands and said, “They’re clean!” because other times they’ve gotten visibly dirty. I had to explain germs and hopefully he gets it! Otherwise, we’re pretty good about routinely washing hands.
Nina recently posted..The irony of judging other moms
When my littles are sick we make a huge bird nest made of blankets and pillows in the front room and pretend to be baby birdies resting.
I love this lesson! So visual. When my kids are sick, we’re so lazy. We lay around on the couch snuggling and watching tv.
What a creative lesson! Popsicles always seem to help.
Lots of lots of hugs and cuddles.
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
Watching cartoons on TV
I love the cinnamon trick!
We always like to watch The Princess Bride when we’re under the weather.
Our puppy keeps her entertained.
My kids like laying in our bed watching a movie or cartoons when they aren’t feeling well.
When we spend time reading together, or doing any other craft projects at home, and television, they always feel better.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
We like to snuggle and watch movies when my little ones are sick, and I always make chicken soup.
At my preschool, we singto the tune of Frere Jacques:
Tops and bottoms, (rub top of one hand)
Tops and bottoms (switch and rub top of other hand)
In between, in between (fingers rubbing interlaced)
Round and round
Round and round (rubbing hands all around)
Now they’re clean, now they’re clean. (rinse with water)
We sing these words to “Row Your Boat” with my toddler to make sure we scrub long enough:
Wash, wash, wash your hands.
Make them nice and clean.
Do the rub, do the scrub.
Germs are very mean.
Wash, wash, wash your hands.
We should sing this twice.
Do the rub, do the scrub.
Being clean is nice.
He loves it! Thanks for the great idea to teach him even better.
we lay in bed and watch bubble guppies or fresh beat band!
A fun movie or cartoon with snacks work the wonder when under the weather.
My son likes watching Spongebob or the Fresh Beat Band to cheer him up.
dlatany at gmail dot com
watching bugs bunny videos usually does the trick
My daughter smiles when I turn on cartoons and snuggle with her on sick days
Watching TV in bed or playing their 3DS. My oldest son likes to read on the iPad as well
THANKS!
ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
Evidently, I couldn’t wash my hands enough when I was little. Mom said I was always telling her that “my hands are dirty, have to wash them.”
My child likes eating noodle soup and watching a Harry Potter movie when she’s sick.
Snuggling and watching Dora the Explorer
Lots of snuggles!
chambanachik at gmail dot com
watching cartoons all day
thismomwins@gmail.com
My son loves to watch Disney Junior when unwell
cool lesson, I should try that.
My son loves playing with his Lego.
puzzles
Watching cartoons and playing games on the iPad.
I let my kids stay in bed and watch their favorite cartoons or play on the ipad.
my kids like staying in bed to rest and watching tv when they are sick
he’s only 3 months but he loves to fly “airplane”!
Usually their appetites are diminished, so food treats are out. They love funny movies and the ipad for giggles, even when sick
I let them drink soda all day
tara pittman recently posted..How To Get a Kindle Fire HD For Free
my kids love that they get a little extra wii time when they are sick
playing video game with daddy
Reading books with me (or listening to me read)! Thanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
chicken noodle soup and orange juice
we watch cartoons together
a fun game of go fish
I just get out her creative art kit and she perks right up. She loves making creative projects.
I always make my son chicken soup. Somehow it makes him feel better.
When my little one is sick I give him a cup of hot cocoa with little marshmallows on top.
Movies and bland food!
Fave tv shows & movies
TAKE THE DAY OFF FROM WORK
My daughter loves to watch The Parent Trap in her room over and over again when she feels crummy. She knows the words by heart
We play favorite movies when we aren’t feeling well.
Laying in the bed watching a movie or cartoons.
austma7@aol.com
We make a “sick couch”. All of her favorite pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals move to the couch in front of the TV. Popsicles are a plus too.
When my daughter was young we would watch her favorite movie and then we would play board games.
When my kids feel sick I always make sure I stock up on Gingerale. They especially like the old fashioned Chelshea kind that is hard to find now.
When my kids are sick they love to snuggle with their favorite stuffed animal and watch their favorite cartoons.
My son hasn’t been sick yet. I need to remember some of these comments!
We watch movies and sip on hot tea with vitamin c
I keep everyone smiling by telling jokes that are “inside jokes” for our family.
Favorite TV shows and books help my kids smile when they are sick,
Chicken noodle soup always does the trick around here.
Watch movies
I have no kids but I enjoyed puzzle books when i felt down
read a fav book or two
Taking three sick formular tablets that I get from my nutritionist. Make my day.
Generally, my children just wanted to snuggle when they were not feeling well. They might not have smiled much, but they were content.
My son loves to cuddle with me and his favorite blanket while watching his favorite movies when he is feeling under the weather.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 @ gmail dot com
My boy loves to watch The Wizard of Oz, over and over again!
I play My Little Pony for her and try to make her laugh.
We watch movies together. I usually also go out and buy her something in Toys R US. If it makes her feel better, it’s worth it.
my son likes to take a bath or have me read to him.
We snuggle and watch movies
I lay in bed with her armed with tissues, snuggles, her favorite “daddy’s shirt”, books, water/juice.
Keep them comfortable and entertained
I keep my little ones smiling on sick days by turning on the television.
When my son is sick, we spend as much time cuddling on the couch. I’ll put on his favorite show, and just hold him.
I keep my little ones smiling by giving them a little sprite, cuddling up and reading books and watching movies together!
Love this! Nurses are all about clean hands!
My home made potato soup has always been the “good” part of being sick. Everyone from sister to my 2 year old grandson wants it when they are sick! I won’t reveal the whole recipe, but i will say that there are ingredients that definitely open up your nasal passages!
Thanks for the giveaway!!!
Snuggles, meds, Caillou & lots of popsicles.
I make a mean chicken soup…and for dessert they can have icecream, cheers them right up
Joanna F recently posted..Health & Fitness Product Reviews updated Wed Feb 27 2013 9:35 pm EST
I give Tylonel to keep the fever and aches and pains away, and make sure they’re comfortable, and entertained. I am sure to be there for whatever it is that they need, and do lots of cuddling to help as well!!
With plenty of good movies.
watching a movie
When I’m under the weather I just saty inside , keep warm and listen to music!
a favorite movie while cuddling on the couch usually works
Homemade soup, comfy blankets, and movies On Demand
I fix her favorite snacks and watch movies while laying in bed together
When I get sick I like to watch some of my favorite TV Shows!! Like Full House!! Love that classic show!
we love to snuggle up and watch our favorite family movies!!
we play their fav movies
no little ones around now, but we always had a box of “giveaways” and goodies from cereal boxes, etc. that were collected and kept as surprises on sick days.
My little sick one likes to watch cartoons like Spongebob on Netflix on the 360
Love those hands with cinnamon:) The kids like doing puzzles.
We love to watch movies or tv shows when any of us are not feeling well.
Chicken soup and lots of cuddling always helps.
When my children were little we always put music on.
They like lots of pillows, blankets and watching tv and movies
Sick days are the one time my kid is allowed to watch cartoons.
Sick days are the one time my kid is allowed to watch cartoons.
By following the context clues to see if they want more or less attention. They can be fickle.
ky2here at msn dot com
we love netflix
TV or Ipad
Movie Marathons and Karaoke!
She love the warmth of a nice hot cocoa!
I let him watch TV and keep him snuggled up with blankets and pillows.
We stay in bed and i read books to them.
We just stay in and read books, play games etc. after the fever is gone of course
sweokgrl@gmail.com
My little guy likes to snuggle and watch Disney movies when he isnt feeling the best.
My kids love to bake with me in the kitchen. So, baking always put a smile on their faces when they’re under the weather and make them forget they’re not feeling well.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong recently posted..Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Photography Backdrops
My kids are tween/teens but they still like to be babied and taken care of when they are feeling under the weather. Bringing them some ginger ale and soup while they watch tv in bed is usually how they cope with sick days.
Kari recently posted..Opening Title Sequence from Oz The Great and Powerful
We make a special fort out of our dining room chairs and blankets. We find oour favorite books to read and sip chicken noodle soup!!
none
Lots of snuggles and lots of stories.
cuddling and reading
laying on the couch and watching movies
i tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/317124973506486272
We curl up on the couch and watch the Cartoon Channel.
Lots of snuggles and tv shows
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That’s a successful man made mess lol
My little cousin likes to make storybook or watch tv when she’s feeling sick, we cuddle up and sit together, she recovers quite fast.
songyueyu at gmail
When they are sick, they like to get lost in a good book
My children love the special attention they get on sick days….a special movie and jello flavor of their choice are some things that my sick little ones to smile!
My granddaughter likes to snuggle on the couch with her blankets and pillow and watch a movie.
I make chicken noodle soup and snuggle up with a good book.
Its funny the things we do to get our kids to, Wash their hands, brush their teeth, take a shower. etc.. and most comes from our parents…
Thank you…Single Dad Danny
motoxmanager@hotmail.com
Hawaiian Punch, Chicken Noodle Soup and a special blankie.
There is nothing better than being able to take the day off with your kid when they are sick and playing with them. Or even just watching a good movie together.
ice cream keeps a smile well
We watch funny cartoons.
games books movies
When my daughter is sick, I like to surprise her with a new DVD and/or book. That always perks her up.
sick days end with ice cream!
I love this idea- never heard of such a thing! My kids have only been sick once in their lives actually…. we have been blessed. But it was miserable. There was lots of rest, fluids and cuddling
i give them a little bit of junk food
ice cream
reading together ty
watching films ty
They love all the extra TLC they get when they don’t feel well. Nothing beats being served chicken soup in bed and the extra snuggles they get.
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lots of TLC and letting them watch all their favorite tv shows or dvd’s….
Watch movies and eat in bed!
When they are sick the family pets know it and give them extra affection.
My daughter has always been rather easy to keep occupied on sick days because she loves books and I enjoy reading aloud. For as long as we’re reading, she’s taken to another place or another time and gets her mind off of being sick even if just for a little while.
Katharina angelsandmusic[at]gmail[dot]com
My daughter watches Wizard of Oz when she isn’t feeling well.
Kimberly Hilbert recently posted..I Just Joined Smiley360
Some good snuggle time always helps!
Netflix is great!
we keep a smile by watching some of our favorite movies
We watch old 90′s cartoons together.
No kids. I sleep as much as possible, drink lots of water and hot herbal tea and use essential oils.
Thanks for the contest.
Movies and soup!
trippyjanet at gmail dot com
We make a bed on the floor with lots of blankets and pillows and watch movies or play games. Just spending the day together resting seems to help everyone feel better
Thanks!
my nephew loves nike jr and disney jr when he is sick
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/318102131104178176
have plenty of arts/crafts materials handy,,,or let the child decide activities
Watch a movie & bring out the chicken soup!
I curl up with them and watch a movie or read a book to them
letting them watch whatever they want on tv.
When my kids are under the weather we snuggle and watch movies or cartoons.
Popsicles or ice cream always seems to help.
With games & comfort food.
Netflix comes in very handy
We find fun, relaxing things she can do while trying to get better.
Lots of chicken soup and tv in bed.
WE WATCH YO GABBA GABBA AND FRESH BEAT BAND AND SING ALONG !!!
shebebes@yahoo.com
We eat Ice cream together and find a good movie to watch
annabella @ centurytel dot net
We play games and have ice cream as a treat!
STAYING HOME WITH HER AND WATCHING MOVIES ON THE COUCH ALL DAY
We lounge on the couch watching a Disney movie marathon. Sometimes some bath time fun helps too.
By letting the have the remote and picking what they want to eat
Favorite treats and toys.
I try to keep movies, coloring books, crayons, markers and lots of books for sick days. Then I make sure they drink plenty of fluids and I make campbells soup with characters in it.
By giving favorite toys
by watching waaay too many episodes of Dora.
Getting to have Sprite, which is a rare treat : )
I read to him
We make the day about her, we paint and cuddle up and watch movies.
By watching cartoons on the couch and fixing his favorite foods.
Thanks for the giveaway…puzzles & DVD’s to watch help keep our kids occupied when cold & flu season invades !
Snuggle up for a movie day.
Lots of hugs, Give them a blanket to cuddle n the couch and watch their favorite shows and give them warmer chicken noodle soup.
Watching animated movies with me makes my son happier when he is sick.
I keep mine entertained with activity books or an educational TV show.
BusyWorkingMama recently posted..List & Promote Your #Giveaway – 3/30
Unfortunately we have never had kids so I can’t honestly answer this question. I still think I should be eligible for this drawing though, don’t you? Equal opportunity.
by watching TV in bed
Laying in bed reading.
My kids always like watching kid’s movies and having books read to them.
playing a board game or cards while laying on the couch
Well I’ll be honest and tell you that I don’t have children as I was never fortunate enough to meet the right man and am still single at nearly 50. But if I did have them I think I’d buy them a special treat (a small toy, book or sweet) when they were sick to help cheer them up.
We watch movies with lots of hugs and eat popsicles.
we watch movies color and snuggle!
Lots of blankets and cuddling in bed/on the couch and watching their favorite movies.
Kristin recently posted..Easter Tattoos: Have your Peeps and wear them, too!
Clean hands keeps away the germs!
couch cuddles and fun books to read aloud.
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TV, books, blankets and lots of attention!
By just watching a favorite movie or TV show.
Pokemon DVDs, stuffed friends and ginger ale and crackers on a tray.
We cuddle up and watch movies/cartoons and eat good stuff. My grandbabies love it
Definitely watching t.v. and some chicken noodle soup!
Heather M recently posted..$100 ClothingShopOnline Giveaway Event!
We make sick days more fun by renting movies to watch. We also play board games if the kids are up to it since they can’t go outside to play.
watching cartoons or reading a fun book to her
Great and fun lesson. Watching their favorite tv show!
Cuddling, watching movies and having ice cream
Lay around and watch TV.
watching movies and peanut butter and marshmallows sandwiches.
my kids love to watch videos when they are under the weather! Thanks for a super giveaway!
coloring and watching tv
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
We snuggle in bed with a stack of books and a couple of their favorite movies
A good story with grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup
ice cream and disney movies
rounder9834 @yahoo.com