Good hygiene starts at an early age. If you want to help your child establish good hygiene habits there are four areas you need to focus on, and several things you need to do. Here are a few helpful hints for teaching good hygiene habits to kids:
Hand washing: Washing hands is a huge part of making sure that your kids learn good hygiene habits. Start by showing them how to properly wash their hands. Teach them when they should be washing their hands. Before meals, after using the bathroom, and whenever they come in contact with someone who is sick. These are all important parts of teaching your child hand washing hygiene.
Teeth brushing: good oral hygiene is a critical part of health. When your child is small make teeth brushing a regular part of your morning and nightly routine. When they get up and are getting dressed for the day, make sure that you have them brush their teeth. Then at night, make teeth brushing part of their bedtime routine. The more routine it is, the better their oral health will be. Have them brush before bed, but teach them how. Set a timer so that they do it for the full two minutes which is recommended. In addition, help them learn the little song: Brush, brush, brush, brush, Every tooth, no need to rush, brush a, brush a, brush a, brush! Then spit, that’s it!
Regular bathing: Help your children learn the importance of regular bathing. Regular bathing is critical to good skin health, to washing away germs, and the like. So, when your children are very small, help them learn bathing by giving them regular baths. Show them by example that regular showers and baths is critical to health, and not something to avoid. They will learn by watching you take care of yourself and clean you skin, hair,and so on. You can make it fun for them by providing bath toys or fun colored soaps. There are plenty of ways to make bathing fun and help your kids learn the importance of it.
Basic understanding of germ spreading: In addition to teaching your child how to have good hygiene, through hand washing, teeth brushing and bathing, you need to teach your children why it is important. Teach them about the spreading of germs, and how proper hygiene can put a stop to it. Teach them how to stay healthy, and practice good habits through proper hygiene.
The sooner your children learn good hygiene, the longer they will live healthier happier lives. Good hygiene helps in many areas. You will live healthier, but you will also be able to have better social interactions. As you teach your kids good hygiene, remember to teach them that there is more to hygiene then just showering and teeth brushing, that it will also make them more attractive to others, potential employers, and so on.
