( We encourage the Facilitator to use an assembly program, preferably with multiple grade levels present.  Kindergarten through 3^rd grades are most receptive and also very effective for pre-school age children.)

  It is very important that the Facilitator be animated and allow time for audience response so children become engaged in the program.  The total time for the program is approximately 20 minutes.  You will also need someone, school nurse or teacher, to be the “prop person”.  Prop person’s role is indicated in the skit.

Facilitator: {Introduce yourself} “We are going to talk about something that is very important and not very hard to do.   Today we are going to talk about washing your hands.  Does anyone know why it is important to wash your hands?” 

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

Facilitator:  “There are a lot of different reasons.  Washing your hands helps you STAY HEALTHY!  When you are healthy, you feel good enough to do the things you want to do—like playing with your friends, going to school and spending time with your family.”

Facilitator:  “Being sick is not fun at all.  Sometimes your stomach or head hurts.  Sometimes your whole body feels hot and you don’t feel like doing anything at all.  When you get sick, it usually is because of germs.  Does anyone know what germs are?”

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

Facilitator:  “Germs are bacteria and viruses, but they are so tiny we cannot see them.  Even though we cannot see them, it doesn’t mean they do not exist.  Where are germs?”

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

  Facilitator:  “On your desk, on doorknobs, in the restroom, on the drinking fountain and even on your hands.  Germs can travel around in the air, too.  When people cough or sneeze, the germs are sprayed into the air. What happens if you sneeze or cough in to your hands?”

PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

Facilitator:  “That’s correct.  You put germs on your hand.”

  Facilitator:  “Then what happens to the germs?”

PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

Facilitator:  “That’s correct.  You can spread the germs to the next person or object that you touch.  How should you cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze if you don’t have a tissue?” 

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

Facilitator:  “Yes, into your elbow like this.  (Aaachoo! –Demonstrate!  Then have students demonstrate how to sneeze saying “Let’s all try that together.  One, two, three.  Aachoo!  Good”) That way the germs won’t go into the air and you won’t spread them when touching something.  Why is it important to keep your fingers out of your eyes, nose and mouth? “

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

Facilitator:  “So you won’t spread germs to yourself.  Remember, there are ooey, gooey germs on your hands!”

Facilitator:  “Let’s talk about the right way to wash your hands.  Just like there is a right way to ride your bike or write your name, there is a right way to wash your hands.  I am going to show you how, but I need some help.  I brought a friend along to help me.  His name is Henry the Hand.  I need your help to get him out here, so when I say three, we are going to call “Henry” out loud.  Ready?One…Two…Three…HENRY!!!”

  (Henry enters and joins Facilitator)

  HENRY WAVES

Facilitator:   Henry says, “Hi every body!  Are you washing your hands to stay healthy?” 

  (Prop person holds up poster #1)

Facilitator: “Henry would like to tell all the teachers and students Henry the Hand’s   4  PRINCIPLES OF HAND AWARENESS.    

(Prop person will hold up poster #2)

1.     WASH your hands when they are dirty and BEFORE eating.

  Facilitator:  “Why should we wash our hands before eating?” 

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE 

Facilitator:  “We must wash our hands before eating because there are germs on our hands.  If we pick up food with our hands or touch our mouth with our hands, germs can get inside us. Icky!”

(Prop person hold up poster #3)

2.    DO NOT cough into your hands.

Facilitator:   “If you cough into your hands, you WILL have ooey, gooey germs on them.  Then you touch the doorknob to leave the room, and the germs are on the doorknob.  Your friend touches the doorknob next and you know what…?”

(Prop person hold up poster #4)

3.     DO NOT sneeze into your hands. 

  Facilitator: (Aaachoo! Use spray bottle to demonstrate how mist goes into the air) “Kids, did you know that when we sneeze a stream of moisture comes out of our nose just like it does from this bottle, only much faster.  That puts germs into the air that other people breathe and onto objects they touch.  We don’t want to do that, do we?” 

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

  Facilitator:  “They will have your germs on their hands.  This could make them sick.  Henry knows that you don’t want to make your friends or family sick.” 

  Let’s show Henry how we practiced sneezing into our elbow.

  (Prop person hold up poster #5)

4.     Above all, DO NOT put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth! 

  “Kids, do you remember what I said about the ooey, gooey germs that are left on your hands after you cough or sneeze into them?”

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

  Facilitator:  “Do you remember what I said about touching a doorknob after someone who has coughed into his or her hand?”

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

  Facilitator:  “If you touch that doorknob and put even one finger in your mouth, eye, or nose, you have just caught some nasty germs!!”   “Yuck.  You could get sick”.

“Now, kids, who can tell us when you should wash your hands?”

  PAUSE FOR RESPONSE

(If response is limited, read the list)

Facilitator:        

  Before you eat.

                            Every time you use the restroom.

                            After you sneeze, cough or blow your nose into a tissue.

                            When you get home from school.

  Facilitator:   “Now that you know when to wash your hands, let’s show you HOW to wash your hands.  First you need to get both hands wet by putting them under warm running water.” 

(Prop person pours bucket of “water” over Henry)

Facilitator: (Prop person holds up bottle of liquid soap)  “Liquid soap is best since germs can be left behind on bars of soap”.  Put the soap on both hands and rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds making sure you wash your palms, wrists and forearms.”   “It is important that you wash between your fingers and under your fingernails also.” 

(Prop person uses a brush to wash Henry-Henry moves around a little to show happiness as the brush scrubs between his fingers)

  Facilitator:   “Be sure to wash the back of your hands too! “ (Henry turns around and prop person washes his back and fingernails)  “Rinse your hands well with warm running water.  Make sure you point your fingers down (Henry bends over) so that all the germs rinse off your hands.  Finally, take a towel and dry your hands well”. (Henry is dried off with a beach towel).

  HENRY should make a gesture to Facilitator who will say, “See, it’s easy.  Anyone can do it.”

  Facilitator:         Thank you, Henry, for helping us out today.  Before you leave, I have something for you.  You are a “CHAMPION HAND WASHER” so I would like to present you with a Champion Hand Washer Medal.  (Prop person will put medal on Henry).

  HENRY PROUDLY TURNS TO ASSEMBLY ----Play Henry’s Song!

Facilitator:  “Boys & girls. Let’s give our new friend, Henry, the “Clean Hand Sign” like this (Demonstrate-Palm forward, three middle fingers together, thumb and pinky extended out) All together now!  Thank you, Henry!” “ Boys & girls, lets give Henry a big hand!”

  Henry then exits assembly area waving goodbye.

  Repeat 4 Principles using the posters (have the students say them with you).

Facilitator: “Hey, I have an idea.  I bet we have a lot of Champion Hand Washers in our audience.  Let’s give the teachers awards to give to the students when they do a good job washing their hands.”

Facilitator:  “The teachers can watch for good hand washers in their classes and award the CHAMPION HAND WASHER stickers to those students who show they know how to wash their hands the correct way.”

Facilitator: “Your teacher has an activity book to give you to take home and share with your family.  Thanks for coming.  Remember to wash your hands and stay healthy.” 

List of Supplies

1.      Bucket of (make-believe water) for washing Henry

2.      Large shower scrub brush

3.      Towel (beach size)

4.      Spray bottle for sneeze demonstration

5.      Bottle of liquid soap

6.      Posters/pictures of Henry’s 4 Principles