If the child dreads a dunk in the tub even more than the family cat, bath time at our house is undoubtedly a nightly battle. Yet teaching children good hygiene habits is definitely worth the effort. Aside from keeping up appearances and not offending others, “it’s important for children to learn lifelong habits of good hygiene to keep them healthy and prevent the spread of common illnesses.”
Shower power. Maybe a bath sounds babyish to our growing child. Instead, we can install a kid-safe showerhead, for ages 3 and up, which is adjustable to our child’s height, has a gentler spray and fun animal shaped showerheads—these are available at many department and larger grocery stores. The idea is that feeling independent and grown-up will encourage him to lather up more often.
Wash hands
Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of illnesses, says Dr. Smitherman. “Germs from coughing, rubbing the eyes, nose and mouth can be spread to other people by the hands. Hand washing helps decrease the number of germs that can be spread.”
Make it count. Using the proper technique is important when washing hands: first wet the hands thoroughly with warm water, then use enough soap to create a good lather and rub the hands vigorously for 20 seconds. Rinse, dry and turn off the faucet with the towel. To keep kids scrubbing for a sufficient amount of time, use a timer or get them to sing “Happy Birthday” or recite the alphabet Kids should wash their hands frequently: before all meals, after outdoor activities and playing with pets.
Clean hands on the go. While washing hands with soap and water is best, hand sanitizers are very useful when there is no access to running water, such as in the car, on the playground and in the classroom. They’re safe to use for all ages; however younger children may need to be closely supervised so they don’t put their hands in their mouths or rub their eyes before the sanitizer evaporates.
Care for teeth
Brush properly. By the time our child is a pre-teen, she should be brushing three times a day. “Kids are now eating smaller meals, more often. This means they have more food sitting on their teeth, which leads to more risk for cavities.” Besides brushing in the morning and before bed, squeeze in a third brush mid-day after the afternoon snack. And anytimeour child munches on sugary treats, have him brush within 20 minutes since bacteria can take their toll that quickly.
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