Mrs. Wishy Washy

Since we are a quality accredited preschool we have certain guidelines that we meet over and above the norm.  One area that is stressed  is HANDWASHING.  We wash our hands when we come in, we wash our hands before and after we play in the water, we wash our hands after we use the restroom , we wash our hands before and after playing in the moon sand. We wash our hands any time we come in from outside.  We wash our hands if we sneeze or PICK OUR

 NOSE !  ( Who does that anyway, and does it count if the do an oral wash?  )We wash our hands before and after eating.     We wash our hands over and over and over again. I know the reason for it all.  GERMS! Yeah yeah yeah...  When I was a kid I ate dirt and I turned out to be ok. I guess. Maybe I should get a second opinion.   Have you ever tried to teach 16 preschoolers when to wash their hands?  At this point you might as well SKIP the whys and just get the process down so it is a habit.  

Today Mrs. Wishy Washy visited our preschool. She read the book " Mrs. Wishy Washy's Farm" . She had on an apron and a gray wig and a cute little rag tied up on her head.   She used props to tell the story.  After reading the story Mrs. Wishy Washy progressed to talk to the kids about when we should wash our hands.  She took baby powder and put it on her hands to show them how germs move from one place to another.  She took all 16 children in the bathroom to SHOW them how to wash their hands.  FIRST you get your hands wet. THEN you add antibacterial soap.  NEXT you wishy washy wishy washy  to make bubbles and rub your hands together under the warm water as you count to ten.   The LAST thing you do ( as you drip water from the sink to the paper towel dispenser ) is get one ( NOT SEVEN ) paper towel and dry your hands.  Here's the tricky part.  DONT touch anything if you are on your way to the table or we start back over again.

I have said this so many times today that I am pretty sure I will count to ten  each time I wash my own hands.   Another provider lost points on hand washing when the inspector said that she left the restroom without washing her hands.  Seriously. This provider says now she plans to sing a washing song LOUDLY to make sure EVERYONE knows she is using good hygiene herself. To make our process easier we installed a motion sensored sink.  The children don't have to turn on the water only stick their hands underneath and MOVE.   I have gotten so accustomed to the automatic water that I find myself standing like a dummy in public restrooms rubbing my hands and waiting for the water to come on - when it isnt automatic.  If you see me doing this , please snap your fingers and remind me I need to turn the little knob to make the water run.  

We are only in our 4th day of school but the children are doing a pretty good job and remembering when to wash their hands.  

Mrs. Wishy Washy had another great day in preschool today and has the CLEANEST hands in Arkansas!