Foam First

What you need

• foaming hand soap
• a bowl of warm water
• a towel

How to do it

1. Put a bowl of warm water on a towel where your toddler can stand at it.
2. Pump one go of foam soap into their hands.
3. Let them squash and rub the foam around for as long as they like.
4. Dip their hands in the bowl to rinse, and dry them properly.

Why it matters

Foam is easier for small hands than a slippery bar and much easier to see, so the rubbing becomes something they can watch happening rather than a thing they're told to do.

What they're learning

Rubbing hands together

Foam spreads visibly, so they can see which bits they've done and which they haven't.

Two hands together

Both hands working on each other is a different job from each hand working alone.

Squashing and squeezing

Foam gives way under their fingers, which is satisfying and good hand work.

What to look for

Watch for them rubbing the backs of their hands, not just the palms. The backs come later.

A tip

Frequent washing can dry little hands out. Pat them dry rather than rubbing, and put a bit of moisturiser on if they get sore.

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