The key to preventing germ transmision is handwashing!
One way to decrease the need for antibiotics is to stay healthy. The most important thing children can do to prevent illnesses is wash their hands. Studies have shown that schools and day care centers that emphasize handwashing significantly decrease illnesses and absences. The following links will help teach handwashing in the day care setting.
Hand washing education.
Why, How, and When to Wash Hands: from the Minnesota Department of Health
Downloadable hand washing curriculum for preschool age children.
Do Bugs Need Drugs? from Health Innovation Fund of Alberta Health and Wellness, Government of Alberta, Canada
Excellent curriculm and educational information for early childhood educators which addresses how proper handwashing can prevent the spread of disease and reduce the need for antibiotics.
Henry the Hand
Hand washing promotion website featuring downloadable songs and movies to watch on your computer.
The Scrub Club
The goal of this site is to raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing and ultimately improve the health of children and reduce school sick days with games, songs, and downloadable activities.
More hand washing information.
2002 Update on Hand Hygiene in Child (day) Care settings.
This informative article summarizes the hand hygiene standards for out-of-home child care settings and recomendations from the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Public Health Association.
Cleaning with Alcohol Hand Sanitizers: from the Minnesota Department of Health
In Day-Care Centers, Cleanliness Is a Must: from the FDA
Information and recomendations from the FDA for preventing germs at day care facilities.
An Ounce of Prevention
Hand washing recomendations from the CDC.
