Since the hit of the pandemic and the coronavirus, cleanliness and personal hygiene has become more important than ever. Not only should an adult take care of their personal hygiene but so should a child. Good hygiene practises include washing hands after using the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose or coughing. It also means to change clothes when coming home from school and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables to keep the insides clean as well. Here are some top tips for teaching your toddler about personal hygiene as advised by this Montessori nursery in North London.

Tips

Make the task fun! Children are more likely to take part in personal hygiene when it comes across as fun rather than a chore forced upon them. You can sing songs or use their toys whilst you teach them different tasks. There are plenty of resources online to help inspire you.

Model the behaviour yourself. Your child will pick up on things you do without realising so ensure you are taking care of your personal hygiene as well. Taking shoes off at the door and washing your hands consistently are small ways to make these into a habit for your child. Including it into their daily routine and being vocal about it will show the importance of it. Remember to stay consistent.

Explain to them why it is so important to take care of personal hygiene. Don’t frighten them, but be honest about it. The coronavirus is a great example as it was relatively recent. Listen carefully to their questions and acknowledge any of their worries. You can demonstrate how germs spread by using glitter. Apply some to your child’s hands to show how they stick and travel.

Good hygiene is an essential part of living a healthy and long life, so make sure to teach your toddler as soon as possible.