Hygiene is two-thirds of health – this famous Lebanese proverb sums up everything we need to know about personal hygiene. Personal hygiene has a direct implication on someone’s overall personality and social interactions. So, let us understand how we can groom our children for better personal hygiene.
What is personal hygiene?
Hygiene generally refers to a series of practices that preserve and protect the health
from diseases. And personal hygiene refers to maintaining one’s body’s cleanliness. It encompasses personal habits like bathing regularly, washing hands, brushing teeth, trimming fingernails, and others. It is also about personal grooming habits like wearing clean clothes, tidying up hair, etc.
Different types of personal hygiene
Kids must maintain their cleanliness habits at all times whether they are at home or outside, at school or playing. Because personal hygiene is very important to keeping ourselves and our surroundings clean, and most importantly, staying healthy.
Food hygiene
Hand hygiene
Body hygiene
Health hygiene
Oral hygiene
Let us take a look at some of the basic hygiene habits for kids.
Food Hygiene: Food hygiene is not only about eating healthy but also following basic food habits like washing hands before eating, avoiding uncovered foods, and always covering food with lids, or storing it in covered containers. Even sharing the other’s used utensils eating their food or drinking from each other’s bottles should be avoided.
Hand Hygiene: Washing hands thoroughly before and after eating, after touching any unclean surfaces, and after using the washroom are some of the things that parents must encourage their kids to do strictly. You can use games like Germ Paint or Wash the Glitter can be used for younger kids to make them understand how germs can spread through hands and how they can prevent it.
Body Hygiene: One of the most important aspects of personal hygiene is taking care of your body. Body hygiene means to keep every part of your body clean to stay healthy. It includes taking care of skin, hair, feet, and other parts of the body.
Health Hygiene: Most of the kids have common colds 6 to 8 times a year before the age of 6. Therefore, it’s imperative to ensure your kids’ health hygiene to fend off germs and other bacterial infections from spreading. It is better to use one’s clothes and personal things rather than sharing with others. They must use masks while traveling or if they are not well to avoid spreading germs. The best way to understand is to display the correct habits yourself.
Oral Hygiene: We all know how important oral hygiene is, so urge your kids to brush properly, twice a day to prevent gum problems and bad odour. Keep a check on their dental care and replace toothbrushes as required. Ensure that they use age-appropriate dental care products that are not harmful and effective.
There are many more important aspects of personal hygiene, however, we have listed a few. It is also important to take care of any special hygiene needs that your child might have.
Some Tips For Parents To Implement These.
- Tell them about germs and bacteria and how they impact. Use educative videos or animated videos and stories for young kids
- Elucidate good and bad habits. Use fun activities to teach them.
- Start with the basics. Avoid dumping too much of information together which is difficult for them to process.
- Talk about appearance and the importance of personal hygiene in their social interactions. Tell them how others will react to them.
- Lead by example. You need to display good personal habits so that they can learn. Do it yourself to make it a habit for them.
- Make it fun. Put up charts, set reminders, and appreciate them when they do good.
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