Teaching your kids basic hygiene skills is so important, especially as they start getting older. No one wants to be the stinky one in any friend group, and we should make sure our kids aren’t! Here are 5 ways you can teach your kids some basic hygiene skills.
5 Ways to Teach Hygiene Skills to Your Kids
Avoiding Bodily Odors
Whether your children take baths or showers, it is important to show them the different products and what they are used for. Show them how to use shampoo to scrub their scalps and how to use conditioner to smooth out the tangles. Give them a luffa, sponge, or washcloth and show them how to use body wash to make sure that they get squeaky clean in the shower.
Talk to them about the importance of using deodorant. Inevitably, children will reach an age where they will start to need deodorant. Be proactive about this so as to avoid any potentially embarrassing situations. You can find deodorants made with natural materials and you can even find your own recipe, which could make a fun activity to do together.
Make Sure Their Clothes Are Fresh
This is especially important if your kids are doing their own laundry. It is easy to forget about a load of laundry in the washer. If it sits there too long the clothes can smell terribly musty. Kids may not recognize this smell as a problem, but others around them probably will. It’s important to teach your kids to make sure they switch their laundry from washer to dryer–or clothesline–promptly, and to use detergent, dryer sheets, or softener to make sure there is no smell.
For those who are doing natural living, there are plenty of recipes out there for homemade laundry detergent. Musty smelling clothes can be really off-putting so it is important to teach our kids how to keep their clothes clean and fresh.
Brushing Your Teeth Properly
Teeth brushing is likely the first hygiene skill you will teach your kids. Dentists recommend that you begin brushing your children’s teeth when they are just babies. Pretty much as soon as they pop that first tooth it’s time to start taking care of it. You can teach your kids to start brushing their teeth as soon as they are old enough to hold a toothbrush. Dentists also recommend supervising your children as they brush their teeth to make sure that they are cleaning them thoroughly.
You may also consider getting them a kid’s mouthwash with cavity protection to use in between brushes for added security. Teaching your kids dental hygiene is important not only for their breath and health but also for your wallet! Unexpected dental work can cost a lot of money, besides the fact that no one wants to see their child endure having cavities filled or teeth pulled.
Taking Care of Shoes
If there’s one thing that can get smelly really fast, it’s tennis shoes! If your kids are like mine, they don’t always understand the need for socks, which can result in some terrible smells in the house! You can teach your kids the importance of wearing socks with their shoes, keeping their shoes clean, and using some odor remover if necessary.
Hygiene to Avoid Illness
Kids of the youngest age can be taught basic hygiene skills that can help them to keep themselves and others healthy. Teach them how to wash their hands thoroughly a few times throughout the day as well as the importance behind it. Work with them to remember to cover their mouths when they sneeze and cough and to use a tissue when needed.
Hygiene skills are so important for our children. We want them to have friend groups, to be easy to work with, and in general to be welcomed into society. Practicing proper hygiene is an essential part of helping our kids to function in society.
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