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Hygiene Tips for Children

Proper hygiene is especially important for young children whose immune systems have not fully developed. Lack of proper hygiene is responsible for the spread of germs, which cause viral and bacterial infections. There are several things parents can do to help their children learn and practice proper hygiene. This helps children stay healthier and cleaner.

  1. Clothing

    • Children should wear clean clothing each day. If your child spills something on his shirt or gets dirty, he should immediately change his clothes. The cotton fabric of most clothing is an ideal habitat for germs, which often remain on clothing hours after exposure. If a child is coughed on or is around a large group of people, change his clothing when he returns home.

    Hands

    • Wash hands frequently to reduce the spread of germs and infection. Children should wash their hands after using the toilet, playing outside, handing animals, sneezing or coughing. Children should wash their hands for at least 30 seconds using warm water and antibacterial hand soap. If your child struggles to wash his hands for such a long period of time, trying singing a song together while he washes. One round of "Happy Birthday" usually lasts about 30 seconds.

    Body

    • Small children and infants do not need to be bathed daily. Too much exposure to water may actually dry out an infant's skin, so only bathe your baby a few times each week. Unlike tub baths, frequent sponge bathing will not dry out a baby's skin. Older children should bathe when they become dirty. Wash your child head to toe with a soapy washcloth. As your child gets older, encourage him to start washing his own body.

    Teeth

    • Brush your child's teeth at least twice a day: once after breakfast, and once before bed. Even toddlers and preschoolers need help reaching all of their teeth, so while it is important to teach your child to brush his own teeth, make sure you help him remove all of the food. When your child has at least two teeth, begin dental flossing the teeth daily. Avoid giving your child sugary snacks and high-carbohydrate starches, which feed plaque and cause cavities.

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