Workshop Promoting Hand Hygiene Among Kindergarten Kids and Exploring the Microbial World!

With the aim of fostering healthy habits from an early age and introducing children to the microbial world, a two-day workshop on hand hygiene was held for kindergarten children at Tartu Eralasteaed Terake by OH-BOOST team. Organized on the 26th and 27th of March 2024, the event saw enthusiastic participation from both the young learners and the organizing team.

During the first day, our PhD students engaged the kids with an introduction to the microscopic world of germs, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene. A hands-on activity allowed children to create handprint impressions on agar plates, followed by a demonstration of proper handwashing techniques. The day concluded with the collection of handprints before and after handwashing. Our team was amazed by the kindergarten kids' understanding of how fever helps the body fight germs!

In the second day, Kindergarten children visited the university microbiology lab to get familiar with agar plates with handprints to observe bacterial growth. They also enjoyed a tour of the lab, engaging in hands-on activities related to microbes and participating in a Q&A session to satisfy their curiosity.

The children received workshop certificates and coloring bookmarks designed by the organizing team.  This event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various individuals, including Alireza Fazeli, Suranga Kodithuwakku, Dulmini Nanayakkara Sapugahawatte, Kasun Godakumara, and our PhD students, Gayandi Ekanayake, and Deep Bhattacharya.

Special thanks were extended to Mati Roasto and Mihkel Mäesaar from the food Veterinary Medicine and Food Hygiene Chair for their support.

The workshop, hosted by OH-BOOST team in collaboration with Tartu Eralasteaed Terake (Tahe Tera), aimed to instill lifelong habits of cleanliness and hygiene among children. 

Photos from the event can be viewed here.