Article by:
Amelia Grant
Children prioritize playing and learning, so as a parent, you should occasionally remind them of the value of maintaining proper hygiene. Children's personal hygiene doesn't have to be a challenging undertaking because it's important for both their health and self-esteem.
Here are some tips that will help you ensure your child develops and practices good personal hygiene:
1. Teach them to brush their teeth regularly
Make toothbrushing enjoyable! Play your child's favorite music loudly and engage in a two-minute dancing party. Videos or brushing apps could potentially speed up the process. You can also consider reading a 2-minute narrative using all of your funniest voices. Whatever you do, be inventive and change your routine to ensure that brushing time is always enjoyable. Explain the importance of maintaining good oral health, particularly when consuming all of their favorite crunchy foods.
Also, don’t forget about scheduling professional teeth cleanings for your kids. Even the best brushing cannot remove all the plaque and bacteria hiding in hard-to-reach areas of your child's mouth. Remember that getting your child familiar with routine dental procedures at an early age will ensure they will keep visiting the dentist and properly taking care of their teeth in the future.
2. Washing their hands
Children may find it difficult or boring to remember to wash their hands until they realize how important it is. Why not use a game of frost to explain the idea of eliminating dangerous bacteria?
Put glitter on your hands and pretend that it's bacteria. Show your child how the glitter is spread throughout everything bacteria touch and describe how they are like tiny, invisible pieces of frost. Show your young child how crucial it is to wipe the frost off your hands to prevent the spread of the "invisible bacteria," particularly before eating and right after using the restroom.
3. Teach your kids how to use toilet paper
Kids should know how to clean themselves properly after using the restroom. Encourage them to use wet toilet paper in addition to dry toilet paper for the most refreshing clean.
4. Explain why they should replace their underwear regularly
Show children how the clothes smell after washing to help them grasp the difference between a pleasant smell and a bad one. Inform them that daily underwear changes will make them smell just as pleasant.
Allowing children to select their underwear and encouraging them to deposit their dirty clothing in a washing basket will build their independence. After all, doing laundry isn't only Mom and Dad's responsibility.
5. Getting regular baths
Teach youngsters that taking a bath or shower is not just a necessary habit for personal hygiene. It is also fun and relaxing. Encourage your children to use children's body lotion, and make this time of day a pampering and sparkling session for them to look forward to.
6. Trimming their nails
Because children regularly put their fingers in their mouths, it is best to keep their nails short, as long nails can harbor bacteria. If your child struggles with nail trimming, have them do it in the bathtub. They will relax and begin to link good feelings with personal hygiene.
7. Taking care of their feet
The feet are in close proximity to the ground and are hidden from view in shoes, which frequently harbor bacteria or fungi. Tell your young child that it's common for feet to smell bad but that you can prevent this by keeping your feet clean, dry, and away from unclean surfaces and public showers.