Kids who develop good hygiene habits are likely to continue them into adulthood. Hand and foot washing, regular haircuts, and nail care all contribute to a kid’s healthy personal hygiene. Not surprisingly, kids are more likely to practice good habits if they can have some fun in the process. In short, with a little imagination, kids can incorporate an element of fun into their healthy personal hygiene routine.
Washing Your Hands and Feet is EASY
Kids who wash their hands properly are getting rid of germs that may cause illness. Kids should wash their hands after using the restroom, before eating, after playing, and after blowing their noses. Certainly, kids as well as adults can pick up germs in any number of places and situations. Fortunately, proper hand washing is an effective way to clean away a lot of harmful germs.
Regardless of whether a kid goes barefoot the majority of the time or wears shoes, their feet will get dirty. Dirt can collect between a person’s toes and around the toenails. In addition, a person’s feet can sweat sometimes causing odor. Consequently, it’s important for kids and adults to wash their feet thoroughly, especially between their toes. In addition, keeping the feet clean can also prevent the development of different types of fungus.
- A kid can make hand washing fun by using a piece of soap shaped as a favorite cartoon or movie character.
- Washing feet can be fun for a kid if they use a soft sponge that will feel squishy and ticklish as it cleans in between the toes!
- To make hand washing an entertaining event a kid can create a silly song to hum or sing each time they visit the sink.
- Kids may want ask their parents to buy a soft, fluffy towel they can use after washing hands or feet.
- Using soap that produces a lot of bubbles or one that has an appealing scent are two more ways to make hand and foot washing time fun.
Haircuts are Fun!
Getting a haircut is an important part of maintaining good hygiene. Undoubtedly, a haircut can give a kid a fun, new look to show off to friends. In addition, regular haircuts contribute to the health of a person’s hair. For instance, a haircut removes split ends and allows for new hair growth: a shampoo along with a haircut removes dirt, loose hairs, and dead skin.
- A kid may want to invite a friend along to visit with during their haircut appointment. Afterward, they can go on a fun outing to the mall or perhaps to a movie.
- In order to make a haircut appointment more fun a kid can look through some magazines to find a new hairstyle to try.
- A kid can take an exciting novel along to read during the haircut appointment.
- A kid may ask the hairstylist about different or unique ways to style, curl, or braid the new haircut. The hairstylist may even demonstrate the new styling technique for the kid to try.
- A kid may also consider asking a parent if they can have some highlights put into their hair.
Keeping Up on Cutting Your Nails
A kid’s efforts toward having good hygiene must include fingernail as well as toenail trimming. Cutting fingernails and toenails gets rid of excess nails that may split or break causing injury to the skin. In addition, properly maintaining fingernails and toenails can prevent dirt from collecting beneath the nails. Not surprisingly, trimmed toenails also allow a kid’s feet to feel more comfortable in shoes or socks.
- A kid can make fingernail and toenail cutting fun by playing a favorite CD while they work.
- After a toenail or fingernail cutting session, a kid may want to massage their feet with soothing lotion. Kids should check with their parents on what type of lotion to use.
- When cutting their fingernails or toenails a kid may listen to a favorite audio book. This will add an enjoyable element to the necessary task of nail trimming.
- After cutting their toenails, a kid can wear sandals or slippers to admire their impressive work!
- A kid may reward themselves with a comfy, new pair of socks after each successful toenail clipping session. Parents may want to buy a bag of new socks for the kid in order to help with this suggestion.
For more information on hygiene basics for kids, please visit:
- The Importance of Hand Washing: Find out why kids (and adults) should wash their hands as well as how often they should wash. Also includes information on an effective hand washing routine.
- Hand Washing Fun: Kids learn about the importance of hand washing with webisodes, games, and a song.
- Facts about Hand Washing: Checkout this information on when, how, and why everyone should wash their hands.
- Educational Hand Washing Activities: Discover an activity book that teaches kids the significance of hand washing.
- Facts about Fingernails and Their Care: Read information about the parts of a fingernail as well as the care required for fingernails.
- Books on Hand Washing: Peruse a list of books for kids concerning hand washing.
- Instructing Kids on Brushing Their Hair: Find some good ideas on showing children how to brush their hair.
- Dealing with Bad Breath: Learn about what kids can do to prevent bad breath.
- All about Hygiene: Discover all the different ways to have good hygiene including washing hands, brushing teeth, and more.
- A Chart to Monitor Good Hygiene Habits: Find a chart that allows a kid to keep track of his or her proper hygiene habits.
- Tips for Effective Hand Washing and More: Learn the steps of hand washing and how to make it a fun practice for kids.
- Basics of Good Hygiene: Read about some of the basics of having good hygiene that includes clipping fingernails and toenails as well as brushing teeth.
- Proper Hand Washing Technique: Checkout step-by-step instructions on proper hand washing.
- A Web Quest with a Hygiene Theme: Complete a fun web quest while learning about good hygiene habits.
- A Hand Washing Routine to Remember: Find a thorough hand washing routine that requires twelve important steps.
