Why Hygiene Is Important?
Good hygiene starts at home. As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our little ones the importance of personal hygiene. Instead of focusing on just one aspect, personal hygiene requires individuals to pay close attention to hand washing, nail hygiene, bathing and brushing teeth.
Cleanliness is essential not only for physical appearance but also for health and wellness. Our skin is the first barrier that shields us against various germs. Therefore, personal hygiene can have a massive impact on a child’s quality of life. Teaching your kids how to take care of themselves from an early age ensures they take care of themselves even as they grow up.
What Are the Advantages of Personal Hygiene?
Personal hygiene benefits can help ward off viruses, bacteria and illnesses. Moreover, looking clean and feeling fresh can help boost positivity and have a massive impact on your mental health.
Children with poor hygiene practices often have a bad odor, bad breath, dirty nails and hair, which can also take a toll on their self-esteem and become an obstacle while socializing. On the other hand, simple daily hygiene tips can help them feel confident as they excel in the task and build their self-esteem.
So What Should You Include in Your Child’s Hygiene Routine?
There are somethings your kid will have to do once every day or even twice every day to maintain cleanliness. The easiest way to ensure your little one manages to do it all is to prepare a children’s hygiene checklist. You can write it on a whiteboard, draw cute baby animals or characters all around and hang it in your little one’s bathroom or bedroom, so it serves as a reminder.
Importance of Hand Washing
Did you know the vast majority of germs are spread due to contact with the hands? Dirty hands can drastically increase your kid’s chances of getting diarrhea. In light of the recent pandemic, COVID-19 is also spreading due to hand contact. Therefore, it is now pivotal more than ever before, to maintain proper hygiene.
To ensure your little one stays safe and healthy, make sure you teach them how to wash their hands thoroughly. Demonstrate a step by step process, as mentioned below:
Step #1: Wet hands with water.
Step #2: Follow with antibacterial soap and rub to form lather.
Step #3: Pay attention to the back of your hands, fingernails and in between fingers.
Step #4: Wash up till your elbows. Scrub until 20 seconds or sing Happy Birthday twice.
Step #5: Wash it off with clean water.
With the right procedure for hand washing, your kid has a better chance of not getting ill. Be sure to tell your child to wash their hands every time they cough or sneeze, touch a pet, start or finish eating food, play outside or use the toilet.
We recommend using an herbal hand wash, such as Herbion Neem Hand Wash. This liquid hand wash contains plant-based ingredients that are rich in antibacterial attributes that protect against disease-producing microbes. This formula is gentle on the skin and tough on germs. Suitable for all skin types, Herbion hand wash is readily available at all leading outlets. If you prefer shopping online, it can also be purchased from Daraz Online Shopping.
Importance of Oral Hygiene During Childhood
Parents, it is crucial for your child to know the importance of brushing teeth for kids. Due to negligence, your little one can develop unwanted oral diseases, cavities and bad breath. Though baby teeth fall out and new ones form, teaching your kid the importance of good oral hygiene from a young age can help solidify and improve when they grow up. Besides, even baby teeth can help assist speech development and chew meals. The following are important hygiene instructions for children:
- Start with a kid-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste. Most kid’s toothbrushes are soft and suitable for developing gums.
- Make sure your child brushes their teeth at least twice every day, once after waking up and once before going to bed.
- If you have an infant who is under 12 months, do not brush their teeth. Instead, wipe your infant’s gums with a soft clean cloth. Once the first set of teeth appear, wipe gently with water and a soft kid’s toothbrush.
- By two years, allow your child to start using toothpaste.
- If your kid loves a sweet treat, make sure it follows with brushing the teeth. Leaving sugary particles on teeth for long can lead to cavities.
Teeth Brushing Techniques for Children
When teaching your little one to brush their teeth, practice patience. Remember, the best way to teach is by demonstration. After all, kids love to imitate their parents. Hold the toothbrush at 45 degrees, move it back and forth gently. Be sure to teach the importance of brushing the outside as well as inside of the teeth. Do not forget to get in-between teeth gaps.
Why is it Important to Take Care of Your Hair?
The sooner your child learns the benefits of hair hygiene, the better. Poor hair hygiene can lead to lice infestation, dandruff and even scalp infections. Lice typical spreads from one kid to another while playing or even while sitting close to each other. In order to avoid this, it is best to teach your little one’s ways to maintain scalp health. Teach your kid to wash their hair at least twice a week. If your kid has long hair, teach them to keep hair tied up, so they remain tangle-free. Children should not share their pillows, caps, hats or combs with other kids as this spreads lice. However, if your kid has lice, it is best to treat it immediately, by using an effective anti-lice shampoo.
Importance of Bathing Daily
Encourage your child to take regular showers or baths. Ideally, either at the start of the day or right before bedtime. Teach them to wash their body, as well as underneath their arms and in between their toes. Ensure they apply a body wash or soap every time they shower and that they dry their body before wearing clothes.
Importance of Nail Cutting
It is no secret kid’s nails can hide a lot of dirt, grime and microbes. Most kids tend to bite their nails when they are nervous, discourage this habit as it can transfer germs. Once a week after your kid has taken a shower, teach them to cut their nails. During this time, the nails are soft and, therefore, easy to cut. Teach them to wash properly underneath their nails and pay extra attention to toenails, as you do not want to neglect them.
