Age for independence in personal hygiene

Teaching children about personal hygiene is an important task for parents and caregivers. Poor personal hygiene can have negative consequences for health, as well as for self-esteem and self-image. Therefore, it is crucial that parents and caregivers devote time and effort to teach these skills to their children.

Tooth brushing

Tooth brushing is an essential skill that should be taught to children from an early age. Parents and caregivers can begin teaching children to brush their teeth as early as two years of age. It is important to teach them proper brushing technique and to remind them to brush their teeth twice a day, in the morning and at night, for at least two minutes each time.

To teach proper brushing technique, parents and caregivers can follow these steps:

• Use a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush.
• Tilt the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line.
• Move the toothbrush gently back and forth in small circular motions.
• Brush the outer surface, inner surface and top of each tooth.
• Use the tip of the toothbrush to clean the inside of the lower front teeth in an up and down motion.
• Brush the tongue to remove bacteria and bad breath.

It is important that children get used to brushing their teeth regularly and are reminded of the importance of doing so.

Hand washing

Hand washing is a fundamental skill that children should learn from an early age. Hands are the main source of spreading bacteria and viruses, and regular hand washing can help prevent the spread of disease.

To teach children how to wash their hands properly, the following steps should be followed:

• Wet hands with clean, warm running water.
• Apply enough soap to cover wet hands.
• Rub hands together to lather and clean all surfaces of the hands, including the tops of the hands and between the fingers.
• Rinse hands thoroughly under running water.
• Dry hands with a clean towel or air dry.

Bath or shower

For a proper bath or shower, we must first check the water temperature and teach children to adjust it to a comfortable level, neither too cold nor too hot.

The steps for a proper shower are:

• Refresh the body with water only to moisturize the skin for about one minute and then turn off the tap to save water.
• Lather the entire body, including areas such as underarms, private parts, back and feet. Use a sponge to create a good lather.
• Rinse the body thoroughly to remove soap residue.
• Dry the entire body making sure there are no wet areas to avoid possible skin irritation.

Teaching these skills can be challenging, especially if the child is very young or has difficulty understanding the instructions. However, with patience and perseverance, it is possible to teach these personal hygiene skills to any child.