Top 9 Hygiene Habits To Teach Kids Between The Age Of 3 And 5

Hygiene is a very critical subject for a child to connect and learn. You tell them not to play in the mud or always wear shoes while stepping out of the house, they don’t seem to understand the consequences. They get irritated by the continuous instructions. Every parent goes through a phase of repulsion from the kids. Teaching kids about the importance of hygiene in the early years of growing between 3 and 5 with proper reasoning, can help to develop a sense of consciousness for personal hygiene.

Kids are more prone to sickness than adults, for obvious reasons such as more interaction with other kids in school and other play areas. Inculcating the right hygiene habits would lay a strong foundation for a qualitative healthy life. A systematic and entertaining approach is needed to be instilled in children. Here are the top 9 hygiene habits to teach kids between the age of 3 and 5 and sow the fertile seeds for an active and hearty life.

Nine hygiene habits to teach kids between the age of 3 and 5:

1. Handwashing

The first and foremost golden inculcated by all parents. A clean hand before and after food. Handwashing is needed irrespective of whether your kids eat with a hand or spoon. Instruct your child to wash hands with clean water and hygienic soap. No traces of soap must be left in the kid’s hands. Teach them to wash between the fingers and wipe it with a clean cloth.

2. Nails grooming

Fingernails are a region for microscopic bacteria to thrive. These bacteria and other germs can easily travel inside the child’s body through the eyes, nose, ear or mouth leading to several allergies and infections. Ensure you teach them to always keep their nails dirt-free and well-groomed at regular intervals.

3. Oral hygiene

Oral hygiene is vital for a healthy dental life. Proper brushing and flossing is a habit that needs to be trained and monitored with the utmost attention. Neat teeth and gums can prevent health issues such as breathing odour, cavities and sometimes heartbreak down. Brushing twice a day before and after the bed is the perfect way to teach oral hygiene to kids. Earlier this becomes the habit, the better is the oral health of the kid.

4. Foot hygiene

A foot is a breeding place for fungal infection. Always instruct them to wash their legs when they step into the house from outside. Most mothers prefer to use cotton socks rather than synthetic socks, which usually ends up in rashes, blisters, and itching leading to hand and foot mouth disease in children.

5. Food hygiene

A hygienic way of preparing, serving and eating the food must be a rule in every home. Share with them the importance of washing vegetables and fruits before eating. Tell them why it is vital to eat with clean hands as the bacteria can enter the body and cause stomach ache, vomiting, cramps, diarrhoea etc.

6. Sleep hygiene

Developing sleep hygiene in the initial years can bring in harmony and peace in their later part of life. It sets a pattern and routine for the child’s body to rest and rejuvenate for the next day. A wonderful time for the child to create dreams and memories. Share the importance of a good night’s sleep with your child in the most fascinating way.

7. Body hygiene

One of the most important parts of hygiene habits is body hygiene. This includes teaching the kid to take a bath regularly and keeping every part of the body clean and tidy. Teach them the importance of being presentable and keeping oneself away from all infections.

8. Toileting

Toilet training is a must in the early part of grooming. Just like potty training, you need to teach your child to keep the genitals and other little parts clean and dry. You got to teach them how to wipe those sensitive areas and wash their hands when done. Healthy and clean genitals are always of prime importance for a healthy life irrespective of gender.

9. Nasal etiquette

Help your kids to learn to blow and clean their nose daily during bath time. Most kids are unwilling to do this. Check on them if they are digging their nose and teach them not to do so. A persistent effort to keep the nose clean can be a preventive measure to keep the nasal infections.

Inculcating good hygiene habits could be a long and tiring process. But as parents, we need to be patient and persevering in our efforts and try to instil all these good and positive hygiene habits for them to have a happy and healthy life. Get creative and make the learning a fun experience.

Image source: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12