Teaching hygiene to preschool, discover the best tips to promote a Life Long Habit of Hygiene in Nursery students

Introduction to teaching hygiene to preschoolers

While COVID 19 may have played havoc with the world and its people, it did teach us one thing – the importance of teaching Hygiene to preschool. People had forgotten the importance of basic hygiene and the role it has to play in our health. The world had to be reminded through seminars, advertisements, and informative leaflets on how to maintain hygiene to avoid getting infected and getting sick.

It was alarming to see just how many people did not know or follow the principles of hygiene and realize just how important it was to instill these basic health and hygiene practices in our children.

In this article, we are going to explore the importance of teaching hygiene to preschool and how to instill these good habits from an early age.

Why is hygiene Important, and do we really need to teach hygiene to preschool ?

Undoubtedly, hygiene is the foundation of good health. However, it also has a social impact which has far-reaching implications on a child’s mental health too. If you are wondering what had hygiene to do with mental health, here is the low down - people do not like to associate or be near people who do not observe personal hygiene, are dirty, have parasitic infestations, or have body odor. Being socially ostracized, for whatever reason, has a huge impact on the self-confidence and sense of well-being of any person and specifically on that of a young child who does not understand why he or she is being rejected by peers.

Lack of proper hygiene makes children more susceptible to diseases, especially water and food-borne diseases and contact diseases that can be passed on from person to person due to proximity or contact. Poor hygiene also invites parasites like fleas and lice that can be passed on from one person to another.

Just a few simple habits a day can take care of basic hygiene and ensure your and your family’s health and well-being. This brings us to the next point.

What is Hygiene, and why do we have to teach hygiene to preschools.

To a lot of us, hygiene means washing, bathing, and wearing clean clothes. However, it goes beyond these basic things. It is a way of life and thinking that is observed in all areas of child care. Hygiene encompasses every aspect of life and living. It includes personal hygiene, cleanliness, and healthy habits that encourage healthy living.

From the point of view of early childhood years, hygiene would mean learning and teaching habits that ensure the cleanliness of body and personal space. Let us take a look at what habits should be inculcated in the EYFS to ensure a lifelong habit of following hygienic practices.

Hygiene in EYFS- teaching hygiene to preschool

The Early Years Foundation Stage is the ideal time to teach the children about personal hygiene and what are the good practices of good hygiene. Children at this stage are aware of their bodies and it is the ideal time to teach them how to take care of them. Personal hygiene should be taught at this stage.

Which are the Most Important Personal Hygiene Habits to Teach to Kids?

In the early years, the children should learn about basic hygiene. These would include habits such as:

  • Bathing every day – Whether they bathe at the start of the day or before bedtime, it is essential to develop a habit of bathing every day. Use soap and water to bathe. Bathing not only relaxes and soothes the child but also helps in keeping the hair and skin clean and healthy. While bathing, the child should wash all parts of the body including the underarms and the genital areas. They should dry their bodies thoroughly with a towel.
  • Wearing clean clothes and shoes -  Changing clothes every day and wearing clean clothes is just as important as bathing. Clothes can absorb dust, dirt, and pollution, and if not cleaned regularly become a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria which can cause a host of medical problems.
  • Brushing the teeth twice a day – ideally, a child should brush the teeth after every meal, but we know that is not practically possible. Hence, it is recommended that the children brush their teeth at least twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening. Brushing the teeth ensures that their teeth are clean and healthy and they do not have bad breath or tooth problems. Dental hygiene is directly related to health and nutrition hence inculcating good dental hygiene will ensure better health.
  • Washing hands frequently – During the covid pandemic, there was an emphasis on hand washing. This was for a reason. Our hands touch various surfaces and objects that may appear to be clean to us. However, most of the surfaces around us are teeming with microbes, bacteria, and viruses that can make us sick. The best way to ensure that these microbes do not enter our bodies is to keep our hands clean. Washing hands properly with soap and water is the most effective way to keep them clean.
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3 Key steps for teaching hygiene to preschool. Children should be taught to wash their hands before and after meals, and after going to the toilet. They should clean their hands after touching animals, insects, or dirty surfaces. Whenever the child comes back home after playing outdoors, they should be encouraged to wash their hands and face.

Teaching Hygiene to preschool

Covering the mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing – The child should be taught to use a handkerchief or napkin or their hands to cover their mouth and nose to prevent the spread of droplet infections. The COVID pandemic taught us all the benefits of wearing masks in public spaces and this is a habit that could be continued especially during the cold and flu season. This is covered in our sessions for teaching hygiene to preschool.

These are some of the personal hygiene habits that all children must learn and follow. Now we come to the question of how to teach hygiene to preschooler to make it fun and memorable.

Teaching Hygiene to Preschool- Tricks and tips to get your message across

The best way to teach a child good habits is by being a role model. The child will emulate and follow the example of their caregivers. So, you as a parent need to follow principles of good hygiene for your children to follow them too.

Encourage and help your child in keeping him/herself clean. Make bathing time, brushing time, and hand washing fun so they look forward to it. Give them positive feedback and appreciation whenever they clean themselves. Following a routine and including hygiene in it is a good start to forming a habit that will last a lifetime.

Conclusion to teaching hygiene to preschool

At GGN our nurses plan weekly sessions with children to teach them about hygiene, cleanliness and how to take care about their body. We encourage our children to follow basic personal hygiene practices. By ensuring that the children are clean and neat when they start the school day. Staff explain the importance to children wash their hands and faces before meals and maintain general hygiene while eating and drinking. We provide a safe and hygienic environment to our children to ensure they are healthy and happy while at school.

Arwa Naccho
CEO
Green Grass Nursery

https://www.oneeducation.org.uk/personal-hygiene-for-kids/
Teaching hygiene to preschool

https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/personal-hygiene

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/personal-hygiene

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