Make hand washing a habit. Kids who wash their hands multiple times every day will feel uncomfortable if they forget and will seek to do it themselves. For some children, instilling this habit can take months; for others, only weeks. It’s worth the effort in the long run.

Be a role model. If you duck out of the bathroom unwashed, your child will notice and feel he can do the same.

Let your child wash his own hands as much as possible. You do “the final wipe.”

Purchase a special stepstool that is your child’s own. Let him carry it over to the sink—and make a big deal about how proud you are that he is washing up.

Keep portable wipes or hand sanitizer with you when not at home.

Let your child pick out the soap and a special washrag.