We are all aware of the importance of hand hygiene in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This can be a hard concept for younger children and individuals with special educational needs and disabilities.
Rhyming Multisensory Stories have a free resource to help!
This resource includes a hand washing multisensory poem, visual support, strategies and sensory themed hand washing activities including Treasure Soap and Soapy Doh.
For your free copy head over to my store
Tips & Strategies
- Model washing your hands.
- Offer lots of praise and encouragement to the individual as they copy your actions.
- Use a digital or sand timer as a visual clue.
- Sing or play a favourite song.
- Add a little glitter onto the individual’s hands to wash off or give them a small plastic toy to wash in the sink.
- Experiment with different textures of soaps (bars, gels, liquid, foaming).
- Using novelty shaped and scented soaps can be motivating.
- Experiment with fruity and oral scents, soaps that smell like lemonade or retro sweets, cartoon character soaps, shaped soaps and ‘Treasure Soap’ (see ‘Extension Activities)
- Individuals sensitive to smell may prefer an unscented soap.
- Offer individuals with sensitive skin a hypoallergenic soap.
- Offer a reward each time the individual washes their hands, this could be a sticker, blowing bubbles or adding a tick to a wall chart so they can track their accomplishments.
- Washing the hands frequently can make them dry and sore to those with sensitive skin. Offer moisturising cream with an optional hand massage afterwards.
Your thoughts, feedback, comments, queries and questions are always welcome! If I can help in anyway, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
For more stories and poems visit the website: www.rhymingmultisensorystories.com
Email: rhymingmultisensorystories@outlook.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storytellingthroughthesenses