Reading Skills for Today's Adults

Maria has three young children. She is busy. Her oldest child is five. Her second child is four. Her third child is two. She has taught her children how to wash their hands. They wash their hands after using the bathroom. They wash their hands before eating a snack or meal.

The two older children can wash their own hands. Maria still washes her youngest child’s hands. They always use soap and warm water. They wash for at least ten seconds. The children slowly count to ten as they are washing their hands. Hands may not be clean if washed fewer than ten seconds.

Maria and her children wash their hands when they come home from shopping or other public places. Maria knows there are many germs on doorknobs and grocery carts. She knows there are many germs on other places people put their hands. Handwashing is important to Maria. She wants her children to be clean and healthy.

Handwashing is very important for anyone who wants to stay healthy. One of the best ways to prevent illness is washing your hands. Stay healthy! Wash your hands!