Personal hygiene is critical for adults and children who want to stay clean and healthy.
This includes almost everything we do in our daily lives, such as showering, brushing our teeth, washing our hands, and so on.
Personal hygiene is one way to avoid health problems associated with poor hygiene, such as:
- Tooth decay
- Skin rashes
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Viral infections
According to MedicalNewsToday, good personal hygiene entails keeping all parts of the external body clean and healthy. It is important for maintaining both physical and mental health.
Aside from killing germs and preventing illness, good personal hygiene can boost confidence by making one feel good about themselves.
It is best to begin teaching the concept of good hygiene when children are young.
This is essential for your kids as they mature and hit their teenage years.
How to Introduce Personal Hygiene
Once your children understand simple words, introduce the concept of keeping a clean body to them.
The top six areas of personal hygiene that should be addressed are as follows:
1. Oral Hygiene
The most obvious healthy habit that should be part of every child’s daily routine is good oral care.
The doctor recommends brushing at least twice a day, and starting this early will make it easier for your children to continue when they no longer require supervision.
Aside from teaching a proper brushing technique, you could also introduce flossing and mouthwash as appropriate.
Just keep in mind to use child-safe oral products.
2. Hand Washing
You know how kids can’t seem to keep their hands off everything and how they use their hands for almost every daily task?
Because hands are easily dirtied, your children must wash their hands to keep them clean.
Teach your children to wash with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
Make it a habit for them to wash their hands after using the restroom, sneezing or coughing into their hands, before and after meals, playing outside, and handling pets, to name a few.
Parents should also encourage them to use hand sanitiser and wipes for hand hygiene.
3. Showering and Bathing
This routine is essential for maintaining healthy skin because it removes dirt, dust, bacteria, and dead cells.
Bathing at least twice a day can help to improve body hygiene and odour.
You should instil this habit in your children as early as possible, and once they’re old enough, teach them how to properly wash and care for their bodies.
It will be more enjoyable and encouraging for them if you get them their favourite body wash.
4. Hair Care
Teaching children to care for their hair regularly will help them feel good about their hair and, most importantly, will reduce the risk of head lice.
Always use a shampoo that is appropriate for your child’s age.
Baby shampoos for babies, for example, and kids shampoos for toddlers.
The ingredients should be milder and less irritating to the eyes.
In addition, teach how to properly comb hair with an appropriate hairbrush to prevent tangles and maintain healthy hair.
5. Maintaining Clean Home
Children must understand that hygiene includes not only keeping their bodies clean but also their surroundings and environment.
This could begin with simple tasks such as tidying toys and belongings, putting trash in bins, cleaning up spilled food, and putting plates in the sink.
Apart from at home, children should be encouraged to practise this behaviour when they are outside so that they do not throw trash unnecessarily and learn to keep any place they go neat and tidy.
6. Food Hygiene
Eating unsanitary food can be harmful to anyone, especially children with immature digestive systems.
According to WHO, nearly one out of every ten people worldwide becomes ill after eating unhygienic foods.
This can cause a variety of common diseases such as stomach aches, vomiting, diarrhoea, and typhoid.
To prevent the spread of germs, you must ensure that your children practise good food hygiene when preparing, serving, and eating food.
Most importantly, instruct them not to eat food that has fallen to the ground.
Simple Ways to Teach Children to Be Hygienic
- Sing ‘hygiene’ songs: Look up songs online or make your own by combining nursery rhymes. This will be effective because your children will remember what the catchy songs teach them, especially if the songs are repeated throughout the day.
- Use entertaining books and stories: Introduce hygiene practises to your children through interesting and fun books or stories. There are numerous options available online as well. That way, your kids will be more interested in hygiene practises and will learn how to perform them correctly.
- Encourage positive reinforcement: Giving children rewards is one way to encourage them to keep up their good behaviour. It is not necessary to give sweet treats or gifts. Instead, kind words, praise, acknowledgement, and a pat on the back can go a long way toward making them feel good about staying clean.
- Make hygiene activities fun: Making hygienic activities enjoyable for your children will make them more memorable. Allowing children to use toothbrushes that light up or feature their favourite cartoon character, for example, will encourage them to brush their teeth.
- Teach by example: Children imitate what we do and see from a young age. So, if you want your children to practise good personal hygiene, you must consistently demonstrate it to them.
- Establish and adhere to routines: Children and routines go hand in hand. It will be easier for them to stick to the habits if you establish a routine that they will grow to follow. They will eventually perform all hygienic practises without being told.
Patience Is a Virtue When Teaching Kids
Remember, no habit forms overnight. Teaching your children about personal hygiene can also be difficult.
As a result, you must be patient when instilling these healthy habits in children.
The methods above will help to teach good hygiene without making your children feel forced.
These habits are easier to remember if they are taught creatively. It will be entertaining for them to follow and remember what to do at the time.
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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