You should help your child keeping themselves clean in order to remain healthy and to feel good about themselves.

Good personal hygiene boost children’s self-esteem and confidence.

children’s self-esteem and confidence

Teach your child good hygiene habits

Keeping clean helps to kill germs and avoid getting sick.

You should teach your children the basics of good personal hygiene as follows:

  • Washing hands
  • Covering their mouth while coughing
  • having regular baths or showers
  • Brushing and flossing teeth

In the beginning, you need to help your child practise good personal hygiene habits.

Washing hands

Most germs spread through hand contact. Teach your child regularly hand washing that will prevent your child and others from getting sick.

Advice your child to wash hands with soap and water:

  • When hands look dirty
  • Prior to eating or preparing food
  • After touching any body fluids like blood, urine or vomit
  • After touching animals
  • After blowing their nose, sneezing or coughing
  • After going to the toilet, after coming back home from school, park, play areas or any other place

Showering and bathing

Regular baths or showers are important for children. You should encourage a bath or shower before going to school or day-care in the morning.

Teach your child to wash entire body, including under arms and their genital and anal areas and ensure that they dry their body thoroughly before they get dressed.

Clothes and shoes

Children should use fresh clothes every day, even if their old clothes don’t smell. They should wear clean underwear every day.

Source:

Personal hygiene for children[Internet]. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/personal-hygiene-for-children. Accessed on Feb 24, 2020.