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Try This: How Do You Encourage Personal Hygiene in Your Kids?
Filed under: Development: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Behavior: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Development: Big Kids, Behavior: Big Kids, Try This
Many kids put up a fight when it comes to the daunting task of brushing their teeth or taking a bath. It can be a challenge to explain to younger kids why hygiene is so important.
We asked some moms how they encourage hygiene in their kids and they agreed that persistence is key. It's important to monitor hygiene habits until kids are old enough to do it on their own, one mom added.
AdviceMama offers a few helpful tips:
- Instead of making brushing a part of your child's bedtime ritual, consider having him brush right after dinner, or before a favorite evening TV show. Some children dawdle about brushing before bed to delay the dreaded time when lights get switched off. Unless he's eating after dinner, there's no reason he can't get the same benefit from brushing an hour or two earlier.
- Buy your child an electric toothbrush. Many children enjoy using a "machine," especially if you also let him pick a toothpaste that he likes. Try adding music to his brushing ritual; most songs run 2-3 minutes, which is an ideal amount of time to spend on dental hygiene.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-07-2011 @ 1:07PM
Shelly Stauer said...Of course persistence is key, it's that way with everything you're trying to teach kids. They need to see consistency in whatever you're requiring. As for hand washing, we found HtTp://Bit.lY/washvssanitize had specific tips for teaching kids to wash well. Ideas for ways to explain why it's necessary. The freebie page on the website also had an activity book from Lysol that taught healthy habits, also some free soaps and stuff.
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3-20-2011 @ 4:12PM
glenn said...I'm 78 and have used an electric toothbrush for 15 years. My dentist says that has really improved my dental hygiene, especially plaque that gets worse as one ages.
I really like the idea of the kids having and electric toothbrush which is fun to use, does a 100% better job than manually and perhaps using it before their favorite last TV show providing they have finished their chores and homework, etc.
Glenn
3-20-2011 @ 11:22PM
Michelle said...As always - ask your dentist but... ours says brushing 20 mins or later after meals is best or else the digestive juices are on the teeth and erodes the enamel. If must brush than swish well with water twice before brushing.
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4-23-2011 @ 10:54AM
mqry said...I have an adult stepson who is 37 years old. He does not bathe or brush his teeth and he does not wash his hands after using the bathroom. He also is extremely socially naive and will not get a driver's license. We recently learned that the root of all of these odd behaviors is that he may be autistic. If your child simply cannot remember his/her personal hygene you may want to speak to a doctor asap. We wish someone had helped our son as a child.
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5-17-2011 @ 9:55PM
Amy Granderson said...I struggle with this so much with my boys. Can't stand it!
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10-14-2011 @ 8:03PM
writinghigh said...Getting kids to brush their teeth for the recommended 2-3 minutes is tough. Your music suggestion is brilliant.
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