It's more important than ever to make sure your kids are on top of their hygiene. Cold and flu season can already wreak havoc on a family. Throw COVID-19 concerns into the mix and it's just about enough to make you go crazy.
Younger kids are the hardest to teach the importance of staying clean. They're forgetful and still figuring so much out. It's crucial to find the right way to impart the importance of simple practices, such as handwashing, on your kids.
NSF International (formerly known as the National Sanitation Foundation) has an answer to your prayers. Enter Scrub Club, an educational tool for teachers and families to help teach proper handwashing techniques to children ages 3 to 8.
Scrub Club isn't new, either. The program has been in place since 2005, but it recently underwent a revamp for the COVID era. That includes new characters added to the cast of of handwashing heroes and germy villains who star in the various free resources offered by the organization.
We spoke with Mindy Costello, Scrub Club program manager at NSF International, about the history of Scrub Club and what new offerings it has to educate kiddos.
NSF International recently launched a new website to breathe life into one of its longstanding programs. In 2005, the organization debuted Scrub Club, an interactive educational program that provides free handwashing resources for teachers, parents, and caregivers of kids 3 to 8 years old.
Mindy Costello, Scrub Club program manager at NSF International, filled LittleThings in on the program's history.
"The Scrub Club was founded back in 2005 when NSF International partnered with the Partnership for Food Safety education to create a visionary, first-of-its-kind website promoting handwashing activities for kids 3 to 8 years old," she explained.
"While much has changed since then, our mission has remained strong: to protect and improve human health as the leading resource on hand hygiene for parents, caregivers, and teachers," she continued.
"We understand most kids are taught that handwashing is important, but it is imperative for them to understand the why and how of handwashing too. We try to involve them in the science of how germs spread and, most importantly, to make this learning fun!"
As Mindy notes, this work has taken on a new life in 2020. It's so vital for kids to understand how to wash their hands the right way and why that's important.
"This work is more important than ever on a local, national, and global scale, and it is so exciting to work for an organization that is dedicated to keeping our homes and learning environments safe," she said.
Mindy says that it was important that the program provide new information in the wake of COVID-19 but also to offer something new to those who have already checked out Scrub Club.
"With the launch of our revamped website, we wanted to make sure our resources help teach children the proper steps to protect themselves from the virus that causes COVID-19. Teachers, parents, and caregivers can expect to see the same interactive and engaging resources they already know and love, including new handwashing activities, videos, awards and certificates, and downloadable posters that showcase the CDC's five steps to proper handwashing all for free!" she shared.
"Additionally, the site features sample lesson plans for K-3 teachers on healthy behaviors, tips, and teaching tools for classroom and in-home use."
There are even new characters for kids to get to know.
"We are also excited to introduce two new characters to the Scrub Club: Coughing Cora, the germy villain who helps teach kids about the dangers of the coronavirus by showcasing the symptoms and bad behaviors to avoid; and Maskwell, who encourages kids to wear masks and reminds them that masks help trap germs in to keep those around us safe," Mindy revealed.
"With such important information, we knew we had to strike a balance between communicating clearly and effectively and still allowing kids to have fun while learning."
Everyone is desperate for things to get "back to normal," but we still aren't quite sure when we'll be there. Mindy explains why handwashing brings us in the right direction.
"Anyone who interacts with small children knows they touch and share everything, including germs. Illnesses can spread quickly in classrooms, day care centers, and at home, and most kids not only don't want to be bothered with the extra time spent washing their hands but also don't know the proper handwashing steps," she said.
"Though it may seem like a small action, the risk of flu, COVID-19, and other viruses can be greatly reduced by regular, proper handwashing. Pre-pandemic data from the National Health Interview Survey suggested that more than 164 million school days per year are lost due to illness," she continued.
"Looking at this startling statistic coupled with the effects of COVID-19, it becomes clear that we need to take action to return to any form of normalcy. Working together to help kids keep their hands clean, we can ultimately improve the health of children in school, day care, or at home."
NSF International and Scrub Club have some important information to share with families as they celebrate the holiday season.
"As the holidays draw closer, we need to take deliberate steps to stop the spread of germs," Mindy emphasized.
"The traditional travel and family gatherings we associate with this time of year puts many at risk of contracting illnesses. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country, public health experts at NSF International are calling on families and communities to find safer ways to celebrate the season, encouraging them to practice social distancing, wear masks, and avoid gatherings outside your family bubble."
"The 2020 holiday season is sure to be unlike any other we have ever experienced, but with the responsible actions of families across the nation and the help of organizations like the Scrub Club, we can make sure that we all are able to safely see our loved ones sooner."
*Disclaimer: The advice on LittleThings.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
