Kristen Nii-Jensen, Natalie Wong, Sun-Young Helmer

NURS 320
Group Learning Project: Hand-Washing with the School Aged Child

Target audience/learning outcomes: Group are first graders aged 6-7, they are in the school-age group
and within the framework of Eriksons psychosocial development should be in the Industry vs. Inferiority
stage. Some late bloomer and very young 1st graders may still be in the Initiative vs. Guilt phase. This
factors into the rationale in crafting our lesson plan.

The children will be able to return demonstrate a proper hand-washing technique that lasts for 20
seconds, utilizing, an alcohol based hand sanitizer or soap and water, with proper scrubbing and
friction.

The children will be able to answer questions in regards to when we wash hands, how long to
wash hands, and why we wash hands

Content:

We choose this topic based on research described below that details how hand-washing habit developed
in early childhood and this behavior is fostered through a holistic technique.

According to researchers, hand-hygiene behavior is mainly an inherent behavior developed in early

childhood. Therefore, it is important to establish hand-washing behaviors in childhood through education
and training of hand washing. Alternative approaches to influencing hand-washing behaviors are peer
pressure, feedback, and role models. Researchers emphasizes that the most effective way to improve
hand-washing behavior is a holistic approach which including cultural and societal influences (Wilson,
Jacob, Powell, 2011).

We shaped our classroom participation based on research that demonstrates how stress levels in schoolage children increase when they have negative learning experiences, such as being corrected in front of
the class. We strove to create a holistic and open participation style presentation.
This study of students cortisol levels in relation to the student-teacher relationship and classroom
environment has shown that students in non-supportive classrooms showed flatter cortisol profiles during
the day, suggesting that classroom of low quality hinders sufficient down-regulation of cortisol
levels. This places the importance on how students in first grade need to be provided with positive
climates to have positive learning experience. It was also found that dependency and conflict in student-

Kristen Nii-Jensen, Natalie Wong, Sun-Young Helmer

NURS 320
Group Learning Project: Hand-Washing with the School Aged Child

teacher relationships hinder successful school adjustment, whereas closeness enhances it (Ahnert, L.,
Harwardt-Heinecke, E., Kappler, G., Eckstein-Madry, T., & Milatz, A., 2012).

Evaluation of learning:
- The practicum will be observed and timed
- The children will be individually asked questions concerning the lesson
- The children will describe how germs can spread from one person to another
Learning tools: Alternate version of song If you're happy and you know it, poster board visual aide,
skit, demonstration and practicum

Time

Activity

Rationale

2min

Skit: Introduction to students, demonstrate a time

Children are visible learners who

when hand washing is important, how germs are

learn via demonstration and role

spread, and how we can ingest them.

play (Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K.,

2012, p. 100)

5 min

Simple explanation of germ theory and portals of

Use of pictures and material to

entry utilizing poster board and demonstration

accompany verbal explanation

enhances learning in the school age
child (Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen,
K., 2012, p. 103)

Demonstration of improper and proper hand

Children are able to count and

minutes

washing technique utilizing the song If you're

assess time, and use of music can

happy and you know it, wash your hands, and

reduce stress in children (Ball, J.,

glitter germs.

Bindler, R., & Cowen, K., 2012, p. 103)

Return demonstration utilizing the hand-washing

Frequent verbalization is an aide for

minutes

song and alcohol based cleanser, informing that

children who may still be in the

alcohol based cleansers are effective against

toddler learning stage (Ball, J.,

bacteria (Lennell, A., Khlmann-Berenzon, S.,

Bindler, R., & Cowen, K., 2012, p. 100)

Kristen Nii-Jensen, Natalie Wong, Sun-Young Helmer

NURS 320
Group Learning Project: Hand-Washing with the School Aged Child

Geli, P., Hedin, K., Petersson, C., Cars, O., & ...
Fredlund, H., 2008)
5

When to wash, Q&As, rewards, final assessment

To determine learning outcomes,

minutes

of learning will be demonstrated while passing

rewards following procedures

out reward bags, children will be asked simple

facilitate communication with

questions on when, how long, and why we wash

school age children (Ball, J., Bindler,

hands

R., & Cowen, K., 2012, p. 103)

Work Cited

Ahnert, L., Harwardt-Heinecke, E., Kappler, G., Eckstein-Madry, T., & Milatz, A. (2012).
Studentteacher relationships and classroom climate in first grade: how do they relate to
students stress regulation?. Attachment & Human Development, 14(3), 249-263.
doi:10.1080/14616734.2012.673277

Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K. (2012). Principles of pediatric nursing: Caring for children
(5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearsons.

Lennell, A., Khlmann-Berenzon, S., Geli, P., Hedin, K., Petersson, C., Cars, O., & ... Fredlund,
H. (2008). Alcohol-based hand-disinfection reduced children's absence from swedish day care
centers. Acta Paediatrica, 97(12), 1672-1680. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.01057.x

Wilson, S., Jacob, C. J., & Powell, D. (2011). Behavior-change interventions to improve handhygiene practice: a review of alternatives to education. Critical Public Health, 21(1), 119-127.
doi:10.1080/09581591003786122