“A little dirt never hurt anybody,” so the saying goes, but the truth is that nobody truly knows when “a little bit of dirt” is actually too much dirt that can already be harmful.
While it is good for children to be able to run around outdoors and get dirty because aside from it being part of a normal childhood; there are also good germs in the world.
However, parents need to be vigilant about when it’s time to reel the kids in for a nice, warm bath. Remember, practicing proper hygiene begins at home.
Here are some of the most basic but also the most important hygiene practices your child needs to know:
1) Regular Handwashing
Perhaps the most important hygiene practice of all is regular handwashing with soap and water. Teaching children to wash their hands before and after meals, when they come home from playing outside, before and after working in the kitchen, after playing with their pets, and after using the bathroom means they will be washing their hands frequently enough to keep them clean.
Tip: Make handwashing a habit by giving small rewards each time the child washes their hands at the right times. For older children, a small jar in which money can be stored can incentivize them to wash their hands frequently knowing that there is a big reward at the end of a period.
2) Proper Sneezing and Coughing Etiquette
Alongside handwashing comes proper sneezing and coughing etiquette. Children need to be taught how to cover their noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing, how to blow their noses, and to wash their hands afterward. Children can also be taught to cough or sneeze into the crooks of their elbows should they not be near any place in which they can wash their hands.
Tip: Remind children of this etiquette whenever they have a cough or the sniffles or whenever someone around them is coughing or sniffling. Being vigilant in reminding children will help them remember to do these things even when they’re on their own.
3) Daily Bathing
Taking a bath every day is one of the best methods to keep children free from dirt that may have bad bacteria. While bathing can be a challenge (for children and even some adults), it is a non-negotiable hygiene practice, no matter what age.
Tip: Make bath time fun for children by adding toys to the tub or shower room. Make sure that baths happen at the same time every day so as to instill the habit.
4) Frequent Tooth Brushing
Brushing teeth after every meal is not only good hygiene practice, but a good preventive measure to saving money that might have been spent on dental bills.
Tip: Sing a song! Singing and asking children to hold a note like “A” with their mouths open can help parents really brush every tooth (especially those in the back). Teaching children to brush their own teeth with songs or music can make brushing a fun activity.
5) Clean Clothing
Children should be able to recognize when it’s time for a change of clothes. And no, this isn’t a smell test. As a general rule, once clothing has been used, children should make it a habit to put the articles of clothing in the hamper, even if they’ve only been used for a little while.
Apart from these basic yet important hygiene tips, getting children involved with everyday household cleaning can also help open their eyes and teach them what proper hygiene is all about. The more they realise how things should be cleaned and how things should stay clean, the better their chances of staying healthy.
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