In light of the unprecedented events the world is experiencing, our team would like to take a moment to focus on the importance of teaching your children good hygiene. While we as adults understand how crucial it is to wash our hands and implement other measures as we see necessary, your little ones see the world differently. As the premier Bangor, Maine, day care, we’ve had hundreds of children pass through our door over the years. Because we are with them day in and day out, our team understands and appreciates the innocence of these little individuals.
With the diverse experience we are so fortunate to have, we’d like to provide you with a few measures that have proved helpful to our staff in implementing the importance of good hygiene within our center.
Hand washing should be fun
One of the first lines of defense between ourselves and unwanted germs is hand washing. Let’s face it, although making as many bubbles as we can while clogging the drain is fun, there are so many other things that children would rather be doing! Slowing them down for a mere 20 seconds, believe it or not, seems like an eternity for your kiddos. Below are a few songs to encourage them to sing to keep them at the sink longer:
- Happy birthday
- Baby Shark
- The Ants Go Marching
- The Itsy Bitsy Spider
- I’m a Little Teapot
Follow this link for a brief overview of proper handwashing technique as recommended by the Center of Disease Control.
Covering our coughs and sneezes
Even though we encourage our children to share, airborne germs should be kept to themselves. Here are a few facts to keep in mind:
- Coughing projects around 3,000 droplets of saliva that can travel up to 50 mph
- A single sneeze can travel up to 26 feet at 100 mph
- Regardless of the method of protection, airborne germs can linger for up to 10 minutes
Instructing your child to sneeze or cough into their elbow instead of their hands isn’t always enough. This is your chance to get creative with a few at-home DIY crafts that provide your child an insight into the world of germs.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to remember that everything you do, your kids are watching. Be the example you’d like your children to follow. As always, we thank you for being a part of our family and choosing Watch Me Shine as your Bangor, Maine day care. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
