Healthy Hygiene: How to Build Habits for Healthy Kids

Establishing a healthy hygiene routine for your children can be overwhelming with all the other things going on in your life. I mean, where do you start? Believe it or not, you already have the foundation of teaching great hygiene to your children. It started when you were a child yourself, where your parents taught you. As you developed into adulthood, you understood the importance of these tasks and perfected them. If you need an extra reminder, here are a few ways for kids to build healthy habits.

General Care

If your children are less than 5 years old, they can watch you care for yourself in the bathroom during your morning and evening routines. They will naturally want to do the same as you in what’s called imitative behavior, especially in the toddler years. They learn a lot just by copying you! So get them their own toothbrush, hairbrush, shower scrubbie or fun washcloth and let them explore hygiene in their own unique way.

Hygiene with Imagination

Show them your own tips and tricks along the way. Make it an adventure by creating an imaginary mountain climbing experience or trek through a jungle with all their favorite characters! If you're looking for more tips and advice, check out this hygiene slideshow from Healthline.

Sing-Along in the Bathroom

Introduce nursery rhymes and familiar songs. You don't have to be a rockstar for your children to delight in your singing, just relax and know that everything you show and teach them, they will soak in. Sing songs like the ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or make up your own silly songs together.

Understanding Germs

It's never too early to tell them about germs. Germs are everywhere, and you can't see them, but do your little ones want them in their mouth or on their hands when they put food in their mouth? Have them understand that too many of the bad germs is what gets us really sick, so washing hands frequently with soap and water and brushing our teeth to get rid of them is very important. A Colorado Springs dentistry expert can assist in teaching your children proper dental hygiene. The overall best thing you can do to keep your children interested in hygiene practices is to include them every time you use the bathroom. You don't have to do it forever, just their first four years or so, long enough for them to grasp the concept. When they see you doing it consistently, they will want to be involved and get positive attention.