Proper hand washing is one of many subjects that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program emphasizes, especially with youth. Children come into contact with germs every day, so proper hand washing can help stop the spread of many illnesses. This summer, the Floyd County Cooperative Extension Office Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program partnered with Betsy Layne Elementary School to deliver nutrition education. 

Initially, it was clear that the second grade class did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of hand washing, or more particularly, appropriate times for hand washing. While doing this lesson, the Professor Popcorn curriculum was utilized. An interactive tool that was used for this lesson was Glo Germ. Glo Germ is a germ simulation that goes on the hands and isn’t seen by the naked eye. However, when an ultraviolet light is shown, it reveals the ‘germs’. Glo Germ is a really great tool for kids because it visually demonstrates how germs live on your hands and are spread. 

After implementing the lesson the youth better grasped the importance of hand washing. When all was said and done, sixty-seven out of the seventy-two youth (93%) improved their hand washing knowledge. Hopefully in the future, the youth will practically use this information in their everyday lives.