Teaching Children the Importance of Cleanliness

Personal Hygiene

• Learning to brush their own teeth, comb their hair and bathe themselves helps children develop the independence and skill they will need to care for themselves as adults. These actions also help children learn to function appropriately in society. Children and adults with poor hygiene skills are often teased or ostracized.

Environmental Cleanliness

• It is important to teach children cleanliness as it applies to their surroundings and personal belongings. This fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for their possessions. Place children in charge of keeping their environment clean and well-maintained by asking them to participate in household cleaning work. This helps children develop habits they̵7;ll need to function properly as adults by teaching them how to properly care for their personal space.

Disease Prevention

• Cleanliness is essential for the prevention of disease. Personal hygiene, like hand-washing, helps prevent communicable diseases like colds and the flu. Environmental cleanliness combats illnesses caused by bacteria or viruses found in unclean environments. Helping children develop these habits goes further than teaching them life skills ̵1; it helps them create a healthier life for themselves and those around them.

Teaching Tips

• Appeal to children's senses to reinforce lessons on cleanliness. Show them pictures of different hygiene tools and discuss their uses. Teach them songs to help them time their hand-washing or toothbrushing. Allow them to smell different soaps to determine their favorite scent, which encourages them to use the soap. Use hands-on cleaning activities like sweeping or washing dishes to give children a chance to practice their newfound abilities.