Get your child involved as well You will find kids being much more enthusiastic about handwashing if their opinions are sought and games used to make it fun

Have you ever wondered why, if a parent and child both neglect to wash hands with soap, the child falls ill more often than the parent? The reason is simple, small children have a lower level of immunity, which in turn makes them more vulnerable to infection. This is why it is vital for parents to ensure that handwashing becomes a crucial part of their children's lifestyle.
Do keep in mind, however, that kids hate anything that is enforced. If parents insist on handwashing using the same tone that they do for getting the homework done, their children are likely to avoid it as far as possible.
Instead, make handwashing a fun-filled activity for your children. For instance, have them sing the jingle from their favourite cartoon show with musical sound effects and get most family members to applaud (try to join in). That will ensure they do it enthusiastically and actually look forward to handwashing.
l Set an example for them. Inform them each time you wash your hands with soap and water, ask them to smell the fresh, clean fragrance.
l Get handwashes in different fragrances. Let your children choose the 'handwash of the week' and put them in charge of ensuring their favourite fragrance is stocked at home.
l Put stickers of their favourite cartoon characters on the soap dispensers. This will make them feel their 'friends' are joining them in the handwashing activity.
l Have a 'clean hands' competition. Put a tickmark each time a child washes hands with soap and have a small toy as the 'Cleanest Hands of the Month' prize.