Developing hygienic habits in your Preschooler

Developing hygienic habits in your preschooler is not easy. You may constantly repeat, “Have you washed your hands with soap?” or “have you brushed your hair?” However there is no guarantee that the child is doing these activities of his own accord. Every day you can watch your child play in mud, stick his fingers in his nose and pick up chocolate from the floor.

Teaching hygienic habits to your preschooler is an important step in the growth of your child’s independence. Not only is teaching hygiene to your child an important step in his growth and independence and freedom for you from watching your child all the time, but it is also a foundation for a healthy lifestyle in the future.

Just as you teach your child how to ride a bike or to read, it is important to teach your child concepts of hygiene. Personal hygiene habits are essential. They can include habits such as brushing their hair, cleaning their teeth to having a bath. These habits once developed make your child independent. One of the most important hygiene issues that come with children is they play with unsanitary objects and then stick their hands in their mouth or touch their faces before washing their hands. At this age according to paediatricians washing their hands will keep the children healthy and it is one of the most important concepts to teach.

Helping your child to develop the habit of washing his hands after certain activities like using the bathroom, playing at the park and visiting a friend’s house is essential step to train him in self-hygiene. Make sure you keep regular schedules when taking bath and helping your child brush his teeth and brush his hair before bed time. If your child develops the habit of washing his hands, brushing his hands and teeth and washing his hands, reminders from you will be less necessary as he grows into adulthood.

One of the best ways of teaching consistency in hygiene is by setting a good example. Wash your hands brush your hair and clean your teeth everyday in front of your child and this will make your child imitate you and develop good habits.

Informing your child about germs is essential. Do this gently without scaring your child. You should allow your child to play with mud and pick up insects without scaring him. It is important to explain to your child that after these activities he should wash his hands and not get scared of the activities. You have to teach your child that germs can make him sick and washing hands will keep all germs away.

You can make teaching hygiene fun instead of making it a chore that the child has to do.
You can pretend to be a germ detective and examine your child’s hands with a magnifying glass and send your child on a secret mission to get rid of the germs by washing his hands.

Allow your child to pick a special soap and toothpaste at the store that he will be using. An attractive looking soap and toothpaste will encourage your child to wash his hands and brush his teeth.
Establishing good hygiene habits is the best defence of your child against germs.