TEACHING CHILDREN HYGIENE
Good hygiene seems like a no-brainer, but there is more to teaching your kids good hygiene than just hand-washing. To a child, hygiene is just another thing they don’t want to deal with when they would rather be playing but it can have a lifelong effect if they do not learn the right way to take care of themselves.
Whether you have a toddler or a teen or any age in the middle, there are some things you can do to not only teach good hygiene, but to make it fun!
Start Young
When your child is little, it can be easy to start good habits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is the leading chronic disease in children. One way to help oral hygiene is to make a game of brushing their teeth so that it seems more fun. Make sure that they don’t find brushing their teeth or washing their hair to be a daunting task, rather, make it a fun thing that they get to control. If they feel in control of their hygiene from an earlier age, they are more likely to enjoy taking care of themselves.
Another great way to start teaching them hygiene when they are young is to start with the basics when they are toddlers. Explain hand-washing and the importance of grooming so that you are laying a solid foundation for future hygiene talks. This also takes some of the awkwardness of talking to them when they are older away.
Make a Routine
No matter how old you are, when you have a routine surrounding your hygiene you are more likely to stick to it. No matter the age of your child, make sure that they have a routine every day and that they are sticking to it. Whether it be that they wake up and was their face, brush their teeth, comb their hair or showering in the morning, they need to have a routine in the morning and at night.
Teens especially who are having to incorporate face washing for acne into their daily routines need a little reminding every now and then. Have them set reminders on their phones if they are older and need a routine. You can also make a daily hygiene chart for your younger children who are just learning about hygiene and getting into the swing of things.
Be Sensitive When Talking About Hygiene Around Puberty
Puberty is an awkward time for everyone. According tohttp://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/hygiene_basics.html , kids going through puberty will experience changes not only in their skin and their body odors, but their hair will become more oily and they will start to sweat even more. When your teen starts to reach this age, they may not even realize that their hygiene habits need to change. This is why it is so important that you talk to them about their hygiene.
One way to have a less awkward and more constructive talk with your teens about hygiene is to take them shopping and search for the best hygiene products together. If your daughter is having oily, smelly hair, bring her to the salon or go shopping and explain what is happening in her body. If your son is having some serious body odor, be sensitive when you talk to him and allow him to choose a new product to try to help combat it. Buying these special products will help them look forward to using them every day. You can also check out our monthly product pages on http://tampabayparenting.com/ for great hygiene selections.
It can be just as awkward for them as it is for you so remember to be as sensitive as you can and it is more likely to get through to them. Make sure they know that you are coming from a place of honesty and love.
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