Dry Them Properly

What you need

• a hand towel they can reach
• soap

How to do it

1. Hang a small towel low enough for your toddler to reach on their own.
2. After rinsing, show them how to press their hands into it rather than wave them about.
3. Get between the fingers together.
4. Hang the towel back up as the last step.

Why it matters

Drying is the step everyone skips, and wet hands stay cold, drip everywhere and get sore, so it's worth being a step of its own rather than an afterthought.

What they're learning

Finishing the job

Hanging the towel back up is a clear end, and ends are what make routines stick.

Pressing and patting

Pressing into a towel is a different movement from rubbing, and it's gentler on little hands.

Reaching it themselves

A towel at their height is one less thing they need an adult for.

What to look for

Watch for them going for the towel without being sent.

A tip

Pat rather than rub. Washing hands often can leave skin dry and sore, and a bit of moisturiser afterwards helps if it does.

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