Safety

  • Adults wash their own hands after wiping a child's nose, as licensing requires.

Presentation

  1. 1

    When the child's nose is running, say: 'Your nose is running. Let's wipe it.' Walk with them to the tissue box and mirror.

  2. 2

    Take one tissue and show the child. Look in the mirror together.

  3. 3

    Tell the child: 'I am going to wipe your nose.' Wait a moment, then wipe gently from the top down.

  4. 4

    Next time, hand the child the tissue and invite them to wipe while looking in the mirror. Seeing the clean face in the mirror is the point of interest.

  5. 5

    Invite the child to put the tissue in the trash can.

  6. 6

    Wash hands together at the sink.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Take a tissue without being told when the nose runs
  2. Bring a tissue to a friend
  3. Try blowing out through the nose into a tissue

Control of error

The mirror shows whether the face is clean.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Takes one tissue and wipes their own nose
  • Throws the tissue in the trash can
  • Washes hands after wiping
  • Gets a tissue without being told

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.