To keep clean and avoid getting sick, we all need to maintain good hygiene habits. That also includes taking care of personal hygiene.
As we all know, kids can sometimes be quite uncooperative when it comes to brushing their teeth, showering daily and changing their clothes. But, nevertheless, some hygiene habits are not open for discussion.
Today we’re bringing you 6 good hygiene habits you should teach your kids.
1. Taking a Shower or a Bath
Encourage your kids to take a shower or a bath at the end of the day as a part of the bedtime routine. The important thing is to ensure that they wash all of their body, especially under their arms and their genital area.
Teach them how to shower properly, since many kids ignore certain body areas. Sweat often becomes a body odor between ages 9 to 10, so it’s important to talk to your kids about the importance of showering. Especially if your kid is in sports.
We love them clean, we love them stinky, but for their own health, and for the sake of other people around them, take time to explain and teach your kid how to take a shower properly.
2. Washing Hands
Covid or no Covid, hand washing is crucial when it comes to good hygiene. Warm water and some soap will efficiently get rid of the germs and bacteria that can get your kid sick.
The kids should wash their hands:
- when their hands look dirty
- before eating or preparing food
- after touching raw meats
- after touching any body fluids
- after touching animals
- after blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing
- after going to the toilet
3. Changing Clothes
How many times were you in a situation that your kids had a shower and put on the same pair of underwear they had before taking a shower? If your answer is zero, I applaud you. If you have experienced this, you know what I’m talking about.
Changing the underwear on a daily basis is extremely important. Not just because of the smell, but because of all the fluids, germs and bacteria after the whole day in the same underwear.
It’s not healthy and it stinks. Make sure your kid knows that.
4. Toilet Hygiene
After you finally get rid of the diapers, your youngsters need some guidance on how to keep their private parts clean.
Teach them to wipe thoroughly from front to back and, of course, to wash their hands after they’re done. With these healthy habits, the chances for irritation will be minimized and they will keep infections away.
5. Brushing the Teeth
Ah, brushing the teeth. The horror. I’m really not sure why the kids hesitate to brush their teeth so much. Maybe they love the aftertaste of the food in their mouth, I don’t really know. Anyway…
Brushing teeth in a circular motion twice a day and keeping them clean will protect against cavities, infection and pain. Some studies showed that even decayed baby teeth can damage the permanent teeth underneath.
Also, make regular dental check-ups and try to make it a positive experience. They will be thankful when they start dating.
NOTE: I’d also add flossing, but sometimes I’m just happy they brushed for a full minute.
6. Nail Hygiene
Playing outside and touching everything can accumulate a lot of dirt in children’s nails. Bonus points if your kid has a habit of biting them.
First of all, discourage your kid from biting their nails since they can end up ingesting the microbes hiding under their nails. Trim their fingernails and toenails frequently and, as already mentioned, encourage them to wash their hands when needed.
Cleaning between the toes and under the (toe)nails will also help with keeping the microbes away.
What hygiene habit did give you the most headaches? Is there any habit your kid was extremely stubborn about?