Teaching Infection Control to Preschoolers

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On February 1st, I will be visiting a preschool to teach the kids (ages 3 - 5) about basic infection control. Just the basics - wash hands before you eat, wash hands after you use the potty, don't eat food from the floor, etc.

Anyway, I NEED some ideas on how to involve the kids more. I can't focus on the handwashing aspect because one of my other classmates is teaching the kids JUST handwashing, while I'm going broader and teaching them about not getting sick or spreading germs. I was thinking about possibly handing out some small hand sanitizers geared towards children, but I'm not sure what else to do. Maybe I could print off some coloring pages of germs? I want something that will get them all involved because kids learn better when you make it fun and interesting instead of just stand there and tell them what to do. A craft project would be nice, but (being a student) I'm a little broke and I don't want to spend a ton of time or money putting it together. I also don't want to create a huge mess to clean up - which might irritate the preschool teachers who, in turn, will tell my instructor.

Any ideas are welcome and thanks!

EDIT: The activity can only really last an hour or so, since I'll only be visiting the school once. I won't be able to go back and teach them anything more.

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My daughter did this science experiment the first week of kindergarten this year where they had potatoes and they had 3 different groups...the first group did not wash their hands at all and were instructed to touch all over the outside of the potatoe and then the 2nd group washed their hands for 5 sec. and then were instructed to touch all over the outside of the potatoe (a diff. potatoe) and then the 3rd group washed their hands for the proper amount of time and touched the last potatoe and at the end each potatoe was put in a plastic baggie and zipped up and the one that was all germy started growing all kinds of funk, whereas the one that was 'cleaner' didn't get so funky lol...

That's kind of focusing on handwashing, but it could show them how exactly handwashing is effective in killing germs.

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My daughter did this science experiment the first week of kindergarten this year where they had potatoes and they had 3 different groups...the first group did not wash their hands at all and were instructed to touch all over the outside of the potatoe and then the 2nd group washed their hands for 5 sec. and then were instructed to touch all over the outside of the potatoe (a diff. potatoe) and then the 3rd group washed their hands for the proper amount of time and touched the last potatoe and at the end each potatoe was put in a plastic baggie and zipped up and the one that was all germy started growing all kinds of funk, whereas the one that was 'cleaner' didn't get so funky lol...

That's kind of focusing on handwashing, but it could show them how exactly handwashing is effective in killing germs.

That's actually a really cute idea! I think it works better for the PreK or Kindergarten teacher though - because I will only be going to teach the kids this ONE time so I won't be able to further explain the stuff growing on the potato!

Good idea though! Might suggest that one to my daughter's teacher.

Keep 'em comin'!

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My 2¢:

-Make the coloring pages about the whole chain of infection, not just the microbes. It's not that difficult a topic if you use simple terms and examples.

virus-sneeze-air-doorknob-hand-mouth/nose/eyes, etc..

Just focusing on the germs could lead to irrational fears, IMHO.

-Have them act out the chain in a skit.

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My 2¢:

-Make the coloring pages about the whole chain of infection, not just the microbes. It's not that difficult a topic if you use simple terms and examples.

virus-sneeze-air-doorknob-hand-mouth/nose/eyes, etc..

Just focusing on the germs could lead to irrational fears, IMHO.

-Have them act out the chain in a skit.

VERY good idea! I was going to make the germs more cartoon-y - you know, with faces and stuff - but I like your idea better. The skit is cute too. Thanks!

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Specializes in Recovery (PACU)-11 yrs, General-13yrs.

Could the Glitterbug Gel be an option?

Rub gel on, wash hands, put hands under fluro light, areas not properly washed will 'glow'.

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Could the Glitterbug Gel be an option?

Rub gel on, wash hands, put hands under fluro light, areas not properly washed will 'glow'.

Sounds like a good idea, but that focuses mainly on handwashing, not infection control. Good idea though! Thanks!

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I'd still do the potato idea... even if you're not there to follow through, the teacher can and they will get something from it. Also my little ones played "hide your face". If they were going to cough/sneeze they had to pull there shirt collar over their mouth, or something like that. They make it into a game, of who can "hide" the best.

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