Do you think kids are clean when they come back from school or when they come back from playing in a park?

Is just washing hands with water ok after they come back?

Kids play in the dirt, climb trees, touch insects and jump around in the dirty water. They actually need more than just water to clean their hands and body parts. Personal Hygiene and cleanliness are important to prevent diseases which are commonly seen in kids like upset stomach, common cold or viral.

  1. Teach them to clean their hands properly- I have taught my girls to wash their hands with soap and water whenever they come from outside. Our hands carry germs which are invisible to the naked eye. Teach them to rub their hands for at least 20 seconds before rinsing with water nicely. Half of the problems are because of dirty hands. Kids have a habit of putting everything in their mouth and germs are carried from hands through food directly to stomach causing health problems. 

Make sure your kids to wash their hands-

  • After going to bathroom or using toilet
  • After coming from outside
  • Before and after eating
  • After touching or playing with an animal
  • After touching garbage
  • After sneezing, coughing or blowing nose.

     2. Using a sanitiser- Soap is good for washing hands but sometimes we need to clean our hands thoroughly. Sanitisers help to kill harmful bacteria’s as most of the health problems are because of contaminated hands. Apart from the gel form, it is available in the form of tissues and antibacterial wipes. 

Make sure you carry a sanitiser or wipes with you when travelling with kids. It can not only help to maintain hygiene but also keep them clean.

     3. Oral Hygiene– I have taught both my daughters to brush their teeth at least 2 times a day. While elder one is very particular about her oral hygiene, younger one needs a push every day. Healthy gums can prevent a wide range of health issues like cavities later in life. Teach them to not only brush but also floss twice a day. 

  • Twice brushing the teeth
  • Daily flossing
  • Use mouthwash after eating something
  • Visit the dentist regularly.

     4.Nails and hair Hygiene- I am writing about nails separately as nails are a breeding ground for many diseases. I know it’s not easy to ask kids to cut their nails and my girls run away from me whenever I ask them to cut their nails. But nail hygiene is very important to stay healthy and clean. All the bacteria’s from nails can spread to mouth and eyes causing problems. 

Hair also needs care. Kids should be taught to shampoo them at least twice a week with a good shampoo. Lice, dandruff, and itchy scalp are the results of unhygienic hair conditions.

    5.Clean Surroundings- Last but not least, I feel it is important to keep our surroundings clean and hygienic in order to stay healthy. Kids should be taught to keep everything clean around them to maintain personal hygiene. Good personal hygiene is an important step for good health.

Teach your kids to-

  • Keep their dirty clothes separately and give them for the wash.
  • Teach them to stay dry and clean.
  • Teach your kids about proper bathing.
  • Ask them to use tissues for cleaning instead of wiping them here and there.

Good habits start early and go a long way. As moms, it’s our duty to make sure our kids learn the value of personal hygiene and also implement it in their day to day activities. Kids are normally careless about hygiene and cleanliness and it’s our duty as parents to teach them good habits. Some basic strategies can help your kids as inside cleanliness is as important as outside appearance.

Do you agree with me moms? How do you teach your kids the value of personal hygiene?

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