The child shouldn't worry about too many things. His tasks are playing games, studying, and acquiring knowledge about the surrounding world.
Despite the simplicity of these tasks, children still skip on personal hygiene activities. Then, we, as their parents, remind them about them all the time. Though, deep inside, we understand that maintaining personal hygiene shouldn't be a burden for us and neither for our children.
We remind our children about personal hygiene rules because we want to see them grow healthy. We want them to be confident in themselves and to easily get along with others.
Instead, the kid should be proud of having a fresh and clean body. This makes him confident about knowing how to be healthy and act independently.
Why is learning personal hygiene so important for kids?
Many parents know how difficult teaching their children the basic rules of personal hygiene is. That's because, at this age, the child can't understand the real value of hygiene activities.
That's why, parents, who are wiser and more experienced in life, know better why their kids need it.
The easiest way to teach children a habit is through games or by your example.
Sit along with your child and explain to him or her why they need to learn these personal hygiene habits. Key points in your explanation might be phrases such as:
- maintaining your body clean prevents harmful microbes from infecting you with a disease.
- Living in a strong and healthy body will make you more confident.
- Being attractive and confident makes other children want to play with you.
Your child will like the idea that personal hygiene will help him make more friends.
Once you notice the sparkling desire in his eyes, show him the basic personal hygiene for kids rules.
Below, are some basic rules that a child should learn.
1. Explain why they need to brush their teeth
Explain to your child that they need to brush their teeth two times per day to maintain their teeth healthy. For example, ask him how would he be able to eat his favorite nuts or cookies without teeth?
2. Explain why they need to wash their hands
For many children, hand washing is a boring task. To raise their interest in hand washing, explain to them why this activity is important.
Explain what bacteria, microbes, and germs are and how these small invisible creatures can make them sick. To prevent this from happening, they need to wash their hands.
Point out that they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.
3. Explain why to use napkins
Children usually wipe their dirty hands of anything or snotty noses with their sleeves.
They don't know that they should use a napkin until parents explain to them why they need to use the napkin and how to use it.
Also, provide them with soft tissue paper handkerchiefs so they can use them when needed.
Tell your child that it is much more pleasant to wipe the nose with a soft handkerchief rather than with their dirty sleeve.
Your child must learn this personal hygiene habit before school where he'll join other children.
4. Have them change underwear every day
Explain to your children why they need to change their underwear daily.
Show your child the difference between the pleasant scent of freshly washed laundry and the smell of already worn ones. Explain to him that if he won't change his underwear, his underwear will small that awful as well.
Let your child choose their favorite underwear. It's easier to take care of the things they like.
Teach your child to throw their worn shirts and panties into the dirty laundry basket. Have your child help you with the laundry, as this will allow him to better learn this personal hygiene rule.
5. Teach them to take a bath and shower regularly
Show your child that taking a bath and showering is not only an important for personal hygiene but is also an enjoyable and fun activity!
Make bathing a fun game by having your child take his favorite toys in the bath.
Add a couple of shampoo drops into the water to create this bubble level above the water. Make it fun playing with the foamy soapy water.
6. Trim your kid's nails regularly
Children have the habit of sticking their fingers in their mouth and biting their nails.
If their nail is long, dirt gathers under their nails and once your child bites them, the dirt arrives into his stomach.
That's why it is important to trim their nails regularly. If your child does not like to cut their nails try to distract him by singing a song or turning on a cartoon.
This will help him relax and enjoy cutting his nails.
Conclusion
Make personal hygiene a ritual for the whole family.
Your example, as a parent, inspires your child to learn the rules of personal hygiene faster.
Over time the personal hygiene rules will become a habit for your child.
