Instilling good hygiene practices in children from an early age lays the foundation for a lifetime of health and wellness.
Whether that’s washing hands regularly or taking frequent baths, proper cleanliness as they say, is next to godliness.
In this episode of AskMeDoctor!, we sat down with paediatrician Dr JoAnn Rajah to learn more about hygiene for children and how parents can teach these healthy habits early.
Question 1: Why is hand hygiene so crucial and how can we teach our kids to do it right?
Hand hygiene is so crucial because it’s the first line of defence against germs.
It’s very important to prevent the spread of illness.
Teaching kids to wash their hands thoroughly, especially before meals and after using the toilet, is essential.
It might seem like something very easy, but it is definitely important to prevent infections.
We often take it for granted as well, and especially kids being kids, sometimes they forget these things too.
Question 2: What are the proper hand-washing techniques and when should children be washing their hands?
It’s pretty simple. Proper hand-washing involves using soap and warm water.
It’s also good to teach children to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds or so.
A fun way to do this is to scrub your hands while singing to their favourite songs.
Kids should also be reminded to wash their hands whenever they have used the restroom before meals, after playing outside and, of course, whenever they are having a cough or a sneeze.
Question 3: Why is regular bathing so important?
Well, bathing is crucial for personal hygiene.
It not only makes you feel good, but it does help to remove dirt, sweat, and bacteria from the skin surface.
For kids, it also creates a routine that helps them to wind down, especially before bedtime.
Question 4: What are some effective bathing techniques?
When bathing kids, what’s very important is to make sure the water is warm, not hot.
Limit your child’s bathing time between 10 to 15 minutes only.
Use a mild fragrance-free soap or body wash designed for kids.
Rinse thoroughly after that to remove the soap residues from the skin’s surface.
Question 5: Can you tell us maybe some fun and creative ways that parents should use to teach kids about hygiene?
I think the main thing is to just make it engaging.
So feel free to use colourful or some fun soaps or even soap with your child’s favourite cartoon characters on it.
You can sing songs while they wash your hands or play games during bedtime.
All of this acts as a positive reinforcement that helps to encourage bathing in children.
Don’t forget that children love stickers and also ample praises.
I suggest using bath toys to make it extra fun for your kids.
It’s clear that teaching kids good hygiene habits can be enjoyable and an educational experience.
It’s all about building these healthy habits at a young age.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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