(Materials for modifiers) -Kinetic sand -broom -dust pan
Modifiers/Scaffold
For an easier challenge: -Ask the children, "What happens when you touch the toys after you played with the baby powder?"
For most children: -Ask the children, "What would happen if we touched the door knobs or shelves before washing our hands?"
For a trickier challenge: -Spread baby powder on the floor and have the children help you sweep it up -Ask the children, "Where else could the baby powder go?"
Follow-up Ideas
-Mix the baby powder with colored sand to turn the baby powder a different color.
-If you're worried that the baby powder will make too much of a mess, make the activity a small-group activity by putting the baby powder in tin cake pans.
Originating Idea
One of my teachers actually had this activity posted on her cabinet door, and I've always wanted to implement it. It's a great way to teach children why washing their hands is important in a fun and messy way.
How to Make It
You cover the table with the garbage bags, and then secure it to the table with the masking tape. Keep the play dough toys and baby powder near the table.
How to Implement It
During large group time, the teacher has the children sit around the table and say, "Today we are going to talk about germs! Who knows what germs are?" The teacher lets the children answer and responds to their answer. Then she says, "Well, today we're going to do an activity all about germs. First, let's do something fun!" Get the baby powder and pour it on the table. Then you allow the children to play with the baby powder with their hands. Once they've fully experienced playing with the baby powder, extend the play by including play dough toys and letting them play with the play dough with their toys.
Then, after the children tire of playing with the toys, sit down and ask the children, "What happened when you touch the baby powder?" Listen to the children's responses and talk with them about their thoughts. Then ask, "What happened when you touched the toys after you touched the baby powder?" Again, listen to their responses and talk with them about their thoughts. Then say, "Germs work kind of like this baby powder. If our hands are dirty, they spread all over our classroom! But what can we do to stop these germs from spreading?" Again, listen to their responses. "Well, one way we can stop germs from spreading is by washing our hands and toys. Let's go wash them now and watch the germs go away!" While the children go to the sink and wash their hands and toys with a teacher's assistant, you can wrap up the entire baby powder mess with the garbage bags, throw it all away in another garbage bag, and set up the table for snack time.
Most children will see how washing their hands removed all the baby powder, with the later children will better understand the concept that you can stop spreading of germs by washing your hands. Earlier children may not fully grasp this concept yet, or have some difficulty washing their toys completely.