Teach Kids Life Skills: Hygiene

  The first step towards being fit is hygiene. The first step towards being healthy is hygiene. Healthy child is also a happy child. We all know how irritable and cranky kids become when they are unwell. Most of the times the cause of sickness among kids is lack of hygiene, lack of cleanliness. We cannot blame kids for being dirty nor can we feel guilty if they fall sick but we can definitely show them the right way to great health.

    When we have toddlers at home every nook and corner should be maintained clean. At this age kids tend to put anything and everything their mouth. Their little fingers will reach even a fine thread under the cot or couch. Right from this age we start educating them about clean and dirty.

     Once kids enter preschool, once they are aware of their body parts and their names we can teach them personal hygiene. Children pick up most of the habits by watching their parents or elders around them, like if the family members leave footwear out and not bring them in the bedroom or kitchen then most likely kids will do the same. So demonstrate the habits of cleanliness, hygiene through you.

• At this age they should be able to wash their hands clean.

• Insist on washing hands after using toilet. Most of the kids don't wash off the soap well.

• Remind them often to wash hands before and after eating.

• When you brush their teeth, tell them the right way to brush. Let them know the importance of oral hygiene. Once in a while they can try brushing on their own as kids like to do all by themselves.

• While you bathe your kid tell him how to clean each part. Start from top to toe. Tell him that by moistening the face and nose snots can be removed easily and its a dirty thing to remove in public. 

• While you wipe him dry once again say aloud every part and joint that must be wiped.

• It is a good practice to have shower at least twice a day especially after coming from school or play ground.

• Keeping 7 different colored kerchiefs for 7 days will help kids in using a fresh one daily. Insist them to use the napkins. 

• Few kids will listen just by telling them or you can encourage by singing rhymes. For few you may have to please by providing colorful and attractive toiletries. Others might need your assistance, few may need something fun like moving and dancing 

   We have to encourage them in a gentle and loving manner to make these a habit but there should be no compromise.
By the time your kid reaches grade 1 and 2 he should be doing most of the above mentioned things on his own. Most of them need to be followed. If they are reluctant in doing these tasks you must accompany them till the wash room and get it done right. 

• Make them aware why they should maintain cleanliness. But instead of forcing them to do these daily chores, if they become aware of the importance of being clean  they will be motivated to do these tasks on their own. 

• Show your kid pictures of shabby pets and clean pets and ask with whom would they like to play and why. Then relate it with them saying, if they are clean they look great and people would like them.

• Similarly make them know how infections can spread, how germs can enter in our body , how they thrive in dirt and sweat and how they can be kept at bay. 

• At this age let your kid become independent. Make him put the used clothes in laundry bag.

• Let him become responsible. Let him choose the clothes he wants to wear. When you give choices, when you give them responsibility, they most likely stick to the rules. 

• When you find your kid doing their given tasks, appreciate it. 

• Keep a check list. And if they follow it you can reward them. 

This way you are also instilling discipline.

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