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What Is Personal Hygiene for Kids?

When they're babies, kids rely on their parents to keep them clean. As they grow older, they need to learn how to care for their own personal hygiene. By teaching kids about personal hygiene and why it's important for their health, appearance and well-being, you're teaching them a skill they'll use for the rest of their lives.

  1. Why Personal Hygiene Matters

    • Clean kids are healthy kids. Poor personal hygiene leads to the spread of germs and illnesses, especially for children who go to school or daycare. Make sure that your kids know about how staying clean helps keep them healthy. Practicing good personal hygiene is also an important social skill for children. While we often tell our kids not to judge others based on looks, the fact remains that our personal hygiene dramatically affects how we are perceived by others.

    Hand Washing

    • Hand washing is one of the most important aspects of personal hygiene when it comes to preventing the spread of germs. Kids should always use soap and spend about 20 seconds lathering up. Also, kids need to wash their hands frequently throughout the day--before eating, after playing outside, after touching animals and before bed. Another important part of keeping hands clean is to look after the fingernails. Teach your child how to clean and trim their fingernails. On the go, teach your child how to use hand sanitizer, especially after touching things like shopping carts or using public restrooms.

    Dental Hygiene

    • Kids should brush their teeth two to three times a day. Flossing is also important, and should be done at least once a day. Teach your child how to properly brush and floss their teeth and explain to them how doing so prevents tooth decay and cavities. Also, make sure your child sees a dentist regularly for routine checkups.

    Bathing

    • How often kids bathe depends on their age and how dirty they get. Younger children may only need to bathe every other day, while older children and kids who are starting puberty must bathe daily. Teach younger kids how to wash themselves completely and the correct way to use different bath products. For younger kids who don't always warm up to bath time, adding toys to the tub can help. You can encourage older kids to bathe or shower more frequently by installing a shower radio in your bathroom.

    Clean Clothes

    • Wearing clean, fresh clothes each day is an essential part of practicing good hygiene. Make sure kids have a laundry hamper in their room to place their dirty clothes. Kids should be sure to change their socks and underwear each day and to choose a clean outfit each morning.

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