The Marion County Cooperative Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition assistant partnered with one of our local elementary schools to do hand washing classes. The local elementary school was having an issue with too many children missing school due to sickness that probably could have been prevented. 

I went into the school and taught proper hand washing techniques. I talked about how germs can make us sick, even if we can’t see them. I went to each classroom and we practiced the proper way to wash our hands.  I took along with me my Glitter Bug. This is a large purple bug that has a black light inside of it. I applied some fake germ lotion which is called glitter bug potion to each child’s hands and they were to rub it in. Then they placed their hands under the Glitter Bug that contained a black light.  After the children had looked at their hands, they were able to go wash up and were encouraged to use the skills I had just taught to see how well they could try to get the germs “off”.  When they returned, they looked at their hands again. If there was still any white glitter bug potion left on them that meant they were not washing them properly. By the children practicing proper hand washing techniques, I hope that this will help to keep the germs from spreading throughout their classroom and the entire school.  This lesson was part of the yummy curriculum.  On the 357 pre-tests completed, only 32% were aware of proper hand washing. By the time they took the post-test, after the lesson, 70% knew how to wash their hands properly. By implementing this class into their curriculum, hopefully, we will reduce the number of children absent at school from sickness.