Playing, singing, drawing - Learning How to Wash Hands

Introduction: Hands facilitate the spread of pathogens. Proper and frequent handwashing is a simple and effective measure in preventing infections and disease transmission. Young children touch everything within their reach, justifying the teaching of this hygienic practice as a health promotion measure to be explored even in daycare settings. To better promote effective handwashing learning, the use of activities involving practical demonstration, printed materials, or audiovisual means during teaching is of significant importance. Objective: To demonstrate the process of hand hygiene to children in a playful and enjoyable manner at a Preschool, as a primary measure to prevent the transmission of viruses, bacteria, and germs causing diseases. Method: A pedagogical teaching strategy within an Extension Project was implemented with children to emphasize the importance of handwashing as a preventive measure. This was carried out at EMEI ngelo Carana in Parque Flamingo, Catanduva, SP, by first-year medical students from Centro Universitário Padre Albino - UNIFIPA, Catanduva, SP, as part of the Preventive Medicine discipline. Initially, in the classroom, some questions were posed to the children to introduce the topic, stimulate idea generation, and gauge their understanding, including questions like: "Who knows how to wash hands?", "When do we need to wash our hands?", "Why do we wash our hands?" and "Is it important to wash hands?". As the responses were shared, the students discussed and supplemented the children's answers. Subsequently, the children were divided into groups of five and guided to a prepared playroom, where they were instructed about the activity. Using videos with music and illustrations about handwashing, they drew their hands and imaginary microorganisms on paper. They then painted these drawings with gouache paint to create an analogy to bacteria, fungi, worms, and other dirt present on hands. Following this, the students observed the condition of their hands under a fluorescent educational box. Next, they were taught the necessary steps to wash hands correctly. Initially, without water or any hygiene product, to memorize the method; then, they were guided to the sink and supervised by the students as they repeated the steps recommended by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) - washing palms, between fingers, back of hands, thumbs, nails, and wrists. Upon returning to the playroom, they learned how to use hand sanitizer. Finally, they observed the effect of hand hygiene through the educational box and returned to the classroom.Results: The activity involved 22 enrolled children from EMEI, of both genders, 2 course instructors, and 1 teacher, 1 coordinator, and 1 pedagogical advisor from EMEI, totaling 27 participants. The activity proved highly productive, enjoyable, and facilitated effective communication and knowledge exchange between the students and children. Conclusion: Demonstrating the correct way of hand hygiene to children in a playful and enjoyable manner, as a primary measure to prevent the transmission of viruses, bacteria, and disease-causing germs, is essential for instilling good habits and contributing to the dissemination of knowledge, fostering awareness of responsibility, and nurturing the development of responsible citizens.