A Canadian study suggests that singing the steps of good handwashing technique to the tune of popular nursery rhyme helps children learn the process of hand hygiene in a simple and memorable way.
The experiment was carried out by Nisha Thampi and colleagues. They adapted the tune of the song Brother John, replaced its lyrics with a six0step hand wash practice prescribed by World Health Organisation (WHO). They wrote the lyrics with the help of school children.
To test the efficacy of the idea in removing germs, the team applied fluorescent markings on the hands of the children aged 6 to 9 years before they washed with soap and water while singing the song. The experiment showed a significant reduction in the markings suggesting the method was a success.