Read the following scenarios and describe the steps you would take to keep children healthy. Consider healthy hygiene practices, handwashing, and modeling healthy habits.

1. Dinah is a young 3-year-old in your program. You are helping a young toddler with a diaper change. Suddenly, Dinah comes running out of the restroom with no pants on. She comes to you and says, “I done. Wipe me.”

   Redirect Dinah back into the restroom, while maintaining Jasper’s safety as you finish his diaper change. As soon as you have finished changing Jasper, following all the steps outlined in the diapering procedure, make sure no bodily fluids or fecal matter from Dinah have dripped on the floor. Follow procedures to clean any messes. You should finish helping Dinah clean herself (following all gloving and sanitation procedures in the restroom). Wash your hands thoroughly. Clean and disinfect any surface Dinah touched when she left the restroom. Wash your hands again. Remind Dinah that it is important to stay in the restroom until she is clean and dressed. Look for ways in your program schedule you can be available to help all children that may need diaper or toileting assistance.

    
2. It is outdoor play time. While moving around the outdoor space, you notice Jerome facing the wall at the corner of the building. You move towards him to find out what is wrong and notice that he is urinating on a bush.

   Remind Jerome that we use the toilet inside. Bring all children safely inside so that you can help Jerome appropriately complete the toileting procedure and wash his hands. Block other children from touching the soiled area. When you return outside, bring cleaning supplies over. Assure children are in safe areas where you can see them, but not immediately by the contaminated area. Clean the soiled area. Immediately wash your hands.