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Home » Early Years Science » Germs and worms

Germs and worms

Modified: Sep 8, 2023 · Published: Jun 27, 2013 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 17 Comments

Where possible I always get my children to wash their hands before eating. The bigger two have made up a song to encourage little H to wash hers properly, it goes something like this:

Rub and scratch, rub and scratch

Or you’ll get worms and germs

worms and germs.

la la la la

Lovely, don’t you think?

We did a very simple activity today to show how dirt and germs can spread.

glitter

hand washing

hand washing

The glitter is meant to represent dirt and germs we can’t see, and show how easily they pass from one person to another.

I was very careful to explain that not all germs are bad, and they shouldn’t worry about holding hands, but should wash them before eating if they can.

Last Updated on September 8, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Actually Mummy...

    June 27, 2013 at 10:36 pm

    I’m so doing this with my two! I’m even going to make them scratch it off their hands and then see where that glitter goes to! Hope there wasn’t too much cleaning for Mummy after this 🙂

    Reply
  2. Mammasaurus

    June 28, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Ooo I think this might work with grubby husbands too!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      July 03, 2013 at 9:58 am

      it might 🙂

      Reply
  3. Mum of One

    July 01, 2013 at 11:14 am

    What a fantastic idea! I will definitely give this a go with the toddler. Thanks so much for sharing with the pin it party. Have pinned to our main board and my own parenting tips board and am following on pinterest 🙂 http://pinterest.com/jbmumofone/boards/

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      July 03, 2013 at 9:59 am

      Thank you

      Reply
  4. The fairy and the frog

    July 01, 2013 at 12:10 pm

    What a great idea. I have taken to smelling The Fairy’s hands for soap as she often says she’s washed her hands already and I’m not 100% sure. Maybe this will help her to see why it’s soooo important!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      July 03, 2013 at 9:59 am

      I do the smelling too.

      Reply
  5. OneMommy

    July 01, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    What a great way to teach little ones why they need to wash hands!

    Pinning this from Fairy and the Frog hop!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      July 03, 2013 at 10:05 am

      Thanks

      Reply
  6. Jess @ Catch A Single Thought

    July 01, 2013 at 3:32 pm

    This is a great idea! I will definitely be trying it with my eldest who is going through a big phase of not wanting to wash her hands when asked!!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      July 03, 2013 at 10:05 am

      All mine are in the phase 🙂

      Reply
  7. Alice @ Mums Make Lists

    July 09, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    Fab idea! And I love the song 🙂

    I would love for you to link up at the Mommy Archive – we’re focused on all things insect & bug this week, Alice @ Mums Make Lists

    Reply
  8. Kaylee

    April 14, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    Did you use glitter glue or just water and glitter to make it stick?

    Reply
  9. تندخوانی

    July 19, 2017 at 8:25 am

    Thank you very much

    Reply

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