What could be more fundamental than washing and drying your hands? And yet many children start school without this skill. Imagine how proud and confident your child feel if she knows how to wash hands when asked to do so. Using a sink can be quite tricky for a child first; start with a bowl of water, as explained here.

You will need:

• Large plastic bowl
• Tray
• Bar of soap on a soap dish or pump soap dispenser
• Two hand towels

1. Place the bowl on the tray with the other items to the right ( or left, if your child is left hand). Half fill the bowl with water.
2. Wet your hands and rub soap over your hands slowly so that your child can see that you are covering your hands with the soap. Place the soap back on th dish, or, if you are using a pump dispenser, remind your child that you only need one or two squirts.
3. Rinse your hands in the water. Dry your hands using a towel-again slowly, so your child can see you drying all parts of your hands.
4. As you replace the dirty water with the clean water, ask your child why the water needs to be changed before she washes her hands. (Show her dirty water as a clue). Invite your kid to try.
5. When your child has mastered washing her hands, explain why and when we need to wash our hands. After using the toilet, before meals, and before cooking, remind your child to wash her hands, until she remembers for herself. Remember to lead by example.