How to use it
Choose five steps, three steps, or the version with a song for scrubbing time.
Print it and hang it just above the sink, at your child’s eye level.
Wash together a few times, pointing to each picture as you go.
Slip it into a sheet protector so splashes wipe right off.
Make it last: print on cardstock, laminate it or slip it into a sheet protector, and use a dry-erase marker or Velcro dots so you can use it again.
Questions parents ask
How long should kids scrub?
Health guidance says to scrub for at least 20 seconds, about as long as singing “Happy Birthday” twice. The song step gives scrubbing time a tune. Any song your child knows that lasts about that long will do.
Does it work in a classroom?
Yes. Choose black and white to save ink, leave the name empty, and print one for each sink. The three-step version suits the youngest children.
What if my child can’t reach the sink?
A sturdy step stool helps. Add it as the first step in your own words, like “Step on my stool.”
Is my child’s name saved anywhere?
No. A name you type stays in your browser so it can print on the sheet. It is never sent to us.
Is it really free?
Yes. One email unlocks this and every other tool in the library, and you can print as many as you like. Your email also brings one short story each Tuesday, and you can leave anytime.
Read it with a story
This is a simple visual support for everyday routines, not a therapy or a treatment. If your child works with a teacher or therapist, they can tell you how it fits with what they already do. Picture symbols: Mulberry Symbols, CC BY-SA 4.0.
