Teaching children the importance of hygiene.
-Handwashing edition-
"Researchers in London estimate that if everyone routinely washed their hands, a million deaths a year could be prevented"- Curtis V, Camicross
Hygiene is one of the most important things parents can teach their children. It impacts their daily life, health and safety. Simple acts such as handwashing and brushing of teeth are essential to a child’s wellbeing.
During 2020, it has become increasingly important to teach children correct hygiene, considering how the coronavirus is now a major global threat. It is vital that children are taught independent and good hygiene practice wherever they go. For example, there are no parents to monitor such good hygiene practice at school. Therefore, it is essential to teach children to do so by themselves.
Teaching young children to remember to practice good hygiene when not at home isn’t an easy task. That is why we collated a few tips to make your task easier. Handwashing is currently viewed as one of the most vital components playing a role against Covid-19. Here are a few tips to encourage your children to follow the correct hand-washing techniques.
Teaching
Teaching children to follow simple hygiene rules is the first step, of course. This does not have to be done in a boring, lecture-style method. There are plenty of fun online resources to teach children the correct way to wash their hands. How? Showing children the importance of thorough handwashing by imagining that the glitter on their hands is reflective of germs when they do not wash their hands properly. They need to be taught – due to Covid-19 – to wash their hands every time after sneezing, using the toilet, coughing or playing outside in public places such as schools or the playground.
Memorising
Now that your child has mastered the art of washing their hands, it is time to make sure they remember what to do in various situations, especially since you won’t be there to remind them when they are at school! Make sure you remind them to wash hands frequently at home as this can help them to remember the necessity of washing hands regularly. You could access online hand-washing charts to print and pin to the back of your bathroom door to remind your children to wash their hands every time they use the toilet.
It is also vital to make sure that the soap they use is not an irritant, but still kills a significant amount of germs – 99% is advisable! If their hands become dry, encourage them to use a moisturising hand cream.
Your children should now be confident, washing their hands often and thoroughly. Handwashing plays a major role in being safe and hygienic, but there is much more! Watch this space for further tips on hygiene.