How to Teach Your Children the Basics of Hygiene

These eight methods have helped me ensure the health of my own kids.

Personal hygiene is how you care for your body. This practice includes brushing the teeth, taking a bath, washing our hands, and doing other similar things. Our children come into contact with millions of viruses and germs every day. These microbes linger on their body, and sometimes, they make my little ones sick.

Germs are nasty tiny creatures that can make us sick in no time. Adults can prevent themselves from getting exposed to these little creatures, but our kids rarely know how to ensure their health. Americans spend up to $5 million a year on illnesses caused by germs, which are spread in a number of ways and it is very important to identify those ways before taking things further.

Here are five ways my children were spreading germs throughout the day.

1. From Their Mouth, Eyes, and Nose — Coughing, sneezing, and rubbing their eyes.
2. From Food — They transferred germs from raw food to uncooked food, especially when they were having their favorite salads.
3. From Animals — I have a pet at home and my children are fond of spending time with it. Germs were quickly and easily spreading through the pet.
4. Dirty Hands — When they played in the backyard or garden, they touched the soil and came inside the house with dirty hands. Sometimes, they didn’t even wash their hands after using the bathroom.
5. Child Care Products — Diapers and baby wipes often caused illnesses in my kids.

One day, I decided to teach my children the basics of hygiene. You can also follow in my footsteps to keep your little ones healthy season after season.

1. Food Hygiene

I started the process with food hygiene. Unhealthy food habits were causing food poisoning and other conditions like diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pains. Whether you are a mother or a father, you must ensure that hygiene is intact when cooking and serving food to your kids. You may give them information on different types of viruses and bacteria that cause illnesses. Let your children understand how these microorganisms infect their body systems. Here is what I actually did.

Cooking food

1. While cooking food for my kids, I began using an apron and tied my hair.
2. I rolled my sleeves up and ensured that I wasn’t sneezing or coughing into the food.
3. I motivated my kids to observe me, and soon they got to know that sneezing or coughing into the food was not a good habit.
4. I also explained to them that washing or sanitizing their hands before the food was really important.

Storing the food

1. After preparing and having the meal healthily, the next step was to teach them how to store food in an appropriate way.
2. You should teach your kids how to segregate food in the refrigerator or freezer.
3. I always inform my little ones which foods need to go in the fridge and which ones can be left outside.
4. Please don’t leave anything uncovered and teach your kids how to clean the lids to avoid contracting germs.

2. Hand Hygiene

As simple as it seems, hand washing is the best way to remove harmful bacteria and germs from our hands. It can prevent the spread of diseases and keeps our environment fresh, clean, and safe. There are various ways to keep the hands clean, but I wanted my kids to go with the easiest methods so that they could repeat the process throughout the days. Here I am going to give a step-by-step demonstration.

1. I encouraged my kids to wet their hands and apply enough soap.
2. They then rubbed their palms together for a couple of seconds.
3. Rubbing the back of each hand is also important. I personally showed them how to rub the two hands while interlocking our fingers.
4. The back and tips of the fingers were also to be rubbed. They then rubbed their thumbs and the end of every wrist.
5. Finally, they were asked to rinse the two hands with cold water.
6. Drying with a towel is extremely important. You may provide your children with disposable tissue papers.

When to wash their hands?

It was important for me to teach them when to wash their hands. So, I began explaining that they must wash their hands every time they use the bathroom, go outside, clean their room, get close to the pet, meet a sick friend, cough or sneeze, and before and after eating their food. Make sure your children know when and how to wash their hands. On average, the time needed to wash hands properly is 30 seconds.

3. Vocal Hygiene

Vocal hygiene is all about breathing easily and comfortably and producing a voice with the least amount of effort. Parents can promote vocal hygiene at home, but you first have to tell your kids its benefits. Here’s a quick overview.

1. A major aspect of vocal hygiene is that it can protect your child’s voice from vocal abuse, which happens when the vocal folds are improperly or excessively used. It can be painful, as the child may have to use a lot of energy to talk or scream.
2. Besides, vocal hygiene can keep their mouth free of smell.

There are a set of methods parents can use to help their kids get a modulated voice. My children have developed the habit of shouting and screaming. This is why I pay attention to their vocal hygiene as much as I care about their food. You should remember these things.

1. I ensure that my children drink eight to ten glasses of water per day.
2. Don’t give your kids ice creams and soft drinks every day. I never let them touch the refrigerator because I care for their voice and throat.
3. I sit with them and encourage them to speak in a friendly tone.
4. Sometimes, our kids clear their throats. This is likely to affect the way they sound, so we must discourage them from doing so.
5. I stop my kids from whispering too much as this can stress their vocal cords.

4. Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene should not be confused with vocal hygiene. It is the practice of keeping our mouths clean and free of germs, diseases, and bad breath. Parents need to teach their kids the value of regular brushing to ensure their oral health. The process begins with buying a good toothbrush. It may be difficult for some of you to choose the right kind of toothbrush for the little ones. Here I am sharing a couple of tips.

Size

The size of the toothbrush matters a lot. This will allow your child to access all surfaces of his or her teeth. For adults, the toothbrush should be one-inch tall and half-inch wide, and for children, its length and width should half-inch each. You shouldn’t buy a toothbrush that comes with no head or cover.

Bristle variety

Like the size, you should check the bristle variety for choosing a toothbrush. There are three main types: soft, medium, and hard nylon bristles. A vast majority of people go with soft-bristled toothbrushes, but you may choose the medium one depending on your overall requirements. I personally like buying soft-bristled brushes since they don’t damage the root surface and tooth enamel.

Electric or disposable

As long as your child cleans his or her teeth regularly using the right brushing technique, you can go with any of these types. Electric toothbrushes may cost you more than disposable toothbrushes. Besides, you will need to replace the removable head every time your child has to brush his or her teeth.

Once the right kind of toothbrush has been bought, you should start teaching the basics of oral hygiene in the following ways.

1. The general rule for adults and children is that they should brush their teeth two times a day. When my kids have chocolates or drink milk, I encourage them to brush their teeth because this prevents germs to be accumulated in their mouths. We should brush our teeth for at least two minutes each time, which means parents shouldn’t let their kids finish brushing sooner.
2. In their first 24 months, I was wiping the gums of my kids with a soft towel. You may use a clean cloth. Parents must ensure that wiping is done gently because the first set of teeth is usually delicate and sensitive to decay.
3. After 24 months, let the child begin using the toothpaste.
4. I make sure that sweet food is not lingering around their teeth, as it can cause cavities.

5. Nail Care

Hands can’t be considered clean if nails are dirty. The good news is that the best route to clean and strong nails is through simple lifestyle habits. Parents don’t need to get themselves and their children costly nail tools. Instead, they have to kick some bad habits like using their nails as a built-in pocket knife. It is easy for adults to keep their nails clean and soft, but our kids may not be able to do so. A lot of dirt and microorganisms accumulate in their nails every single day. In the case of my children, they go outside for some fun and bring home so much dirt. The worst part is that they often bite their nails. This is how I protect them from the diseases caused by dirty nails.

1. Whenever they try to bite their nails, I immediately discourage them from doing so. You need to do the same because your kids will end up ingesting a lot of viruses and bacteria.
2. I have made a routine of cutting their nails thrice per week.
3. Parents can teach their kids how to scrub and wash under their nails properly to ensure their health.
4. Toenails should especially be cleaned and cut regularly.

Tips for parents whose children and toddlers are sensitive to nail cutting

So many parents remain concerned about the way their children and toddlers react when they try to cut their nails. My kids used to curl up and it was too difficult for me to deal with them. Here is what I did to solve this problem.

1. Choosing the time wisely — As parents, you may spin hundreds of plates at a time. Cutting nails should be a major task on your to-do list, and you’ve to get it done properly. I choose my time wisely. When my kids are playing a video game or busy with their dad, I encourage them to get their nails cut.
2. Do what they like the most — My kids are never calm; this is why I often give them a hand with their favorite activities. I try to calm them down before nails could be cut. Maybe, your children will love jumping and running, and if it is so, you shouldn’t cut their nails until you have spent at least 10 minutes with them doing the same thing.

6. Foot Care

It is integral for kids to learn the importance of foot care at an early age. Every day, I show my little ones how to wash their feet before going to bed. You may set a daily routine for them, depending on your environment. For instance, if the area you live in is polluted, you’ve to ensure that your children wash their feet twice a day. Just as parents don’t want their kids to go out without brushing their teeth, they shouldn’t let them live without taking care of their feet. Here are a few simple tips and tricks.

Walking barefoot

Walking barefoot is a good habit. I often encourage my children to walk around without their shoes. It is the best thing parents can do for growing feet. It helps muscles to develop and get stronger with time. It also lets air circulate around the feet.

Washing toes daily

If your child is not able to wash his or her toes, you may do it yourself. I ensure that my children’s feet are washed and dried twice a day. Soap should especially be applied between the toes because it is the dirtiest part of one’s feet. If feet are not washed daily, children may develop fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Parents should not let them walk here and there with moist and sweaty feet.

Trimmed toenails

I keep my children’s toenails trimmed, and you need to do the same. I suggest you cut their toenails in a straight line and don’t cut around the corners. This may make them feel pain or discomfort. Long toenails often dig into other toes, and even into their shoes.

The selection of the socks

I choose five types of socks for my children.

1. Crew cut socks that are made of 100% cotton.
2. No-shoe ankle socks that sit below their ankles.
3. Quarter socks that can absorb sweat and keep their feet dry throughout the day.
4. Knee-high socks that are perfect for casual use.
5. Boot socks that are made of knitted materials and suit them with boots.

As a parent, you should remember that socks that are too tight and small will constrict feet and affect circulation. You need to buy socks that are made of cotton or wool and allow their feet to breathe.

7. Toilet Hygiene

Bathrooms or toilets are among the dirtiest places in our houses. They get contaminated daily and are a major source of infectious diseases. Parents are responsible for teaching their kids how to keep toilets clean. As long as we give them proper tips, we can help them avoid different types of diseases. Here is what I often do.

1. I explain to my children how to wash or wipe after passing stool.
2. It is also important to teach them how to flush without anyone’s help.
3. Parents should remind them to wash their hands whenever they use the toilet or washroom. I often stay with my children to guide them through the whole process.

8. Shower Hygiene

Showering with the right kind of soap is as important as toilet hygiene and hand hygiene. It helps rinse away oil, dead skin cells, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Besides regular hair care, you should motivate your kids to take a shower once a day. Here’s how I ensure that my children are taking a shower properly and hygienically.

1. I run the water to an ideal temperature. The shower does not need to be steaming hot. In fact, the temperature can be around 100 F. This will prevent chilling or burning of the skin.
2. If you don’t have a bath thermometer, you may check the water temperature with your elbow. I suggest you put the elbow in the water to know whether it feels warm or hot.
3. Parents who are setting the temperature for their newborn babies should hold on to their kids during the bath.
4. I encourage my children to do a quick rinse to wet their bodies before applying the soap.
5. Parents can also get their children body wash.
6. Once they have washed their hair, legs, arms, and the whole body, I ensure that my children have rinsed off soapy residues with a little more water.
7. Finally, I ask them to properly clean their body with a dry towel and wear their clothes as soon as possible.

What I don’t let my children do?

As a parent, I am concerned about the skin of my children. I don’t let them use too hot or too cold water. Also, they don’t need to exfoliate their skin because it is meant for adults. Next, I do not allow them to skip the face wash. Last but not least, I ensure that their washcloth or scrubbing sponge is dry and clean when not in use.

The timing of a shower

The average showering time is eight minutes, but some parents may not let their children spend more than five minutes in the shower room. Once your kids get used to these things, it will be okay for them to spend up to ten minutes in the shower room. However, you shouldn’t let them waste the water or throw the soap here and there. When they are done, you should immediately ask them to step out of the shower room after wearing their clothes.

Final Thoughts

We should remember teaching children the basics of hygiene is a way to prepare them for the time when they can ensure their health in our absence. However, it doesn’t mean parents should punish their little ones if their guidelines are being ignored. Scolding, punishment, and comparison with other kids may make your child feel bad. I never scold my kids as it worsens the situation. You need to understand that some kids take more time to learn the basics of hygiene than others, and it is your responsibility to be patient, polite, and cooperative.

Comparing your kid with another kid, especially his or her fellow, will make the little one feel incomplete. You should let the child adjust to the new way of living and avoid shouting at him or her. I have seen people punishing their kids when they don’t wash their hands after using the toilet. Kids work and learn better when they are appreciated and admired. They may make a lot of mistakes, but parents have to explain things to them in a friendly way. The chance is your child will not understand or obey for several weeks, and it is not a big issue. You just need to work closely with the little ones until they consume all the information and start acting upon your advice.