Never has it seemed more important than now to have healthy habits that can help prevent the spread of flu and other illnesses. The outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus and the media attention on it, has driven home this point. Season after season, we hear about the importance of hand hygiene, cough manners and more. Now it is increasingly critical that we practice these precautions, as well as teach our children these habits.

Here are some resources that can help to explain and to teach children.

Music

Music is a great way to help children remember what actions they need do. Here are a series of music videos that will help to reinforce washing hands, or putting on masks.

1. Wash hands Song by KaFoo Sister 洗洗手@嘉芙姐姐

This song makes handwashing fun, while going through the steps of a through hand wash. Important for all times, not just flu season.

洗洗手
曲、詞：嘉芙姐姐、Terry Ko@153 Studio

開水喉一起洗洗手
加上梘液才是夠
搓手看見泡泡於雙手
再用二十秒別用水
捽走指甲、指隙、指背、手掌、手背所有污垢
洗擦後要用清水沖洗別遺漏
乾淨毛巾或用抹手紙搓兩手
乾手機也是吹乾雙手好朋友
到最後關水喉切勿再直接觸摸水龍頭

Free Printable download: 洗洗手 (嘉芙姐姐) Wash Hands Song Lyrics with and without Jyutping

2. If you have a fever 如有發燒 by 奇世界奇音樂

Cute song by the famous and popular Veronica of 奇世界奇音樂 who has produced many much-loved Cantonese nursery rhymes. This song is about what to do if you have a fever, and uses the beautiful illustrations of Dumo.

Lyrics:
如有發燒還有些咳還覺得冇力周身骨痛難受了嗎誠實告之還要戴口罩睇醫生

Free Printable download: If you have a Fever 如有發燒 Lyrics with and without Jyutping

If you are in a location where you need to ensure the kids wear a masks, then it is important they do not resist, as well as learn to put them on properly. Here are a few songs that may help.

3. How to put on a Mask by KaFoo Sister 我都識得戴口罩@嘉芙姐姐

This song teaches the techniques of putting on a face masks in a cute and fun manner.

我都識得戴口罩
曲、詞：嘉芙姐姐、Terry@153 Studio

戴口罩要先洗洗手用梘液先洗洗手
睇睇口罩有無穿窿穿咗個窿就唔好用
顏色面向外金屬條向上
橡筋繞過兩隻耳仔再拉開口罩啦啦啦
遮住鼻、口、下巴
金屬條兩邊按一按
戴口罩我也做到

Free Printable download: I know how to put on a mask 我都識得戴口罩 (嘉芙姐姐) Lyrics with and without Jyutping

4. Put on Mask song 戴口罩歌 by Music Therapy In Class Hong Kong

This song aims to teach the steps to put on a mask (教授戴口罩的步驟) , as well as the reasoning behind wearing a mask (讓學生理解生病或預防疾病要戴口罩).

Lyrics:

戴口罩用梘液洗洗手攞個口罩顏色面向外金屬線硬崩崩放上面兩邊橡筋耳朵

手指撳一撳金屬線拉開口罩遮晒鼻口下巴抗病鬥士

Free Printable download: Put on a mask 戴口罩 Lyrics with and without Jyutping

6. Washing Hands Song 洗手歌 by Music Therapy in Class Hong Kong

This song aims to teach when and how to wash hands.

Lyrics pending.

6. Mask wearing Superhero song 口罩超人

Put on a mask and be a superhero – perfect song to nudge those who are resistant to putting on a mask. (For those who need to put one one)

Stories

1. McDull explaining Hand washing and other Hygiene Habits 「不得了喇！」向小朋友解釋戴口罩和洗手

2. Take good care of your health – 我會注意身體健康(廣東話)

A story in Cantonese about what to do to stay healthy.

3. Masked Hero DIY Picture Book 口罩小衛兵自己做繪本

A cute story by Taiwanese Illustrator MIIA*Mia about the importance of wearing masks. Downloadable (Traditional Chinese) PDF link in her post with instructions on how to print and put together the book.
Update: New language versions available: English | Japanese
Update: Mama Baby Mandarin has translated her book into Simplified Chinese, pinyin, Traditional Chinese and zhuyin and the PDFs are available on the blog.

Games

Epidemic prevention Card Game 全民防疫

A card game for 2-4 players, recommended age 8+. Please note this is a game, and may not be scientifically accurate in its details, but it will emphasize that we must work together to prevent an epidemic.
Printable download link on their Facebook post. Download, print, play and have fun!

Posters and other health education materials

Public service announcements are everywhere during flu season. You see it on TV, radio, posters in public places. I printed out some of these posters, and placed them in prominent positions around the house. E.g. Washing hands poster in the bathroom, so that your kids can see it every time they wash their hands.

Here are some good sources of information:

1. Hong Kong Department of Health

Information on hand hygiene (including posters, pamphlets, Cantonese videos and more) in Traditional Chinese and English. These are located at the bottom of the page under the section 健康教育資源 or Health Education Materials. I like using them, as I know they are likely fact checked, and possibly what kids might learn in school or watch on TV

2. CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong) Medical Centre 香港中文大學醫院（中大醫院）

Infographic on how to use hand sanitizers

3. World Health Organisation (WHO)

Recommendations for the general public for hygiene and safe food practices: in Simplified Chinese and English – cute posters available for download. (Not available in Traditional Chinese)

4. Others:

For Cantonese Info Videos (mostly public Service announcements from government departments, please check out this YouTube playlist Info videos on Healthy Hygiene habits and sickness.