8 essential hygiene rules for kids

It is quite easy to keep a newborn clean and sweet-smelling. However, it is just amazing how dirty, sweaty and icky-sticky a toddler can get!

I myself have a very active (and impossibly mischievous) 2-year-old and I am puzzled as to how the little chap manages to get grimy within an hour of his bath.

Well, as you would imagine, he has to have several scrub-downs during the day and even more hand-washing time!

Until kids are around 6 years old, parents can take primary responsibility for their kids' personal hygiene.

However, starting around 2 years old (or possibly younger, depending on their level of understanding), parents can start teaching their kids good hygiene habits like washing their hands.

Aside from hand-washing, there are other things to keep in mind.

To help parents remember what they are, we've listed some hygiene rules that you should keep in mind when it comes to your young kids.

1. Explain the connection between staying clean and being healthy

Explain to your kids about germs and dirt, and how they can make us sick. Tell them how we can get rid of these if we keep our bodies clean.

2. Show your child the proper way of washing his hands

At times using hand sanitizer alone won't do. Show your child the good old-fashioned way of giving his hands a good scrub with soap and water.

Tell him to wash his hands for at least 15 seconds — about the time it would take to quickly sing the ABC song!

3. Tell them when they need to wash their hands

Parents should make sure that kids wash their hands:

- after using the toilet,

- before eating,

- after sneezing into their hand,

- before & after touching food,

- after playing outdoors,

- after visiting or playing with a sick friend,

- after touching garbage or pets,

- before touching a small baby.

(Did we miss something? Leave a comment and let us know!)

4. Teach proper sneezing 'etiquette'

The best option is for your child to cover their nose with a handkerchief or tissue.

If they don’t have one, ask them to sneeze into the crook of their arm (i.e. the inside of their elbow) rather than into their hand.

5. Emphasize the importance of good manners

Explain to your kids that picking their nose or biting their nails is not healthy or hygienic. Neither is spitting in public places.

6. Show the importance of showers/baths

At around the age of 4 or 5, you can show your child how important it is to wash and clean their bodies properly.

Show them how to scrub their bodies without hurting themselves, and which areas of their bodies need special attention.

7. Teach proper toilet hygiene

In addition to washing their hands after using the loo, kids should also be taught how to use the toilet properly, and clean themselves afterwards.

Girls should especially be shown how to wipe themselves properly after using the toilet — from front to back — as girls tend to get urinary tract infections if they don’t follow good hygiene practices.

8. Don't forget dental hygiene

Explain the importance of good oral hygiene to your kids and show them the right way of brushing their teeth.

They can start brushing their teeth by themselves under your supervision by the age of 4 or 5. Make sure they brush in the morning, after eating sweets and at night before sleeping.