How to Teach a Child About Cleanliness

Teach your kids about cleanliness when they are young.

While it might not be true that “cleanliness is next to godliness,” people who practice good hygiene are typically healthier. Staying clean helps fight off bacteria that cause illnesses. Whether it is body hygiene or oral hygiene, it is important to teach kids about cleanliness.

Instructions

1. Teach by example, whether it is cleanliness in the way you live, the way you talk, the way you take care of your body, or even the way you take care of your home and belongings. In general, kids follow what they see, so if you set good examples, the learning process would be easy.

2. Teach kids with a step-by-step process. For example, if you want your child to learn how to brush his teeth properly, show him each of the steps. Start by showing how to put toothpaste on a toothbrush then continue until you complete the entire process.

3. Keep it simple. Make the learning process fun and not tedious. Your child will learn faster if cleanliness is not treated as a chore.

4. Practice makes perfect. Repeat the process every day until your child is used to it.

5. Read books to your child about cleanliness. Videos are also available to aid in the learning process.

6. Remind your child every time. Give him schedule that is easy to follow.

7. Praise your child for every effort and give rewards from time to time. For example, put a smiley face or star sticker on the calendar for every completed task.

Tips & Warnings

• A good way to remind you child is by putting a wall calendar that shows the child's activities for the day. Include cleanliness activities so that your child remembers when to do them.

• Do not punish your child for slipping up occasionally. Allow for mistakes every now and then, but correct as needed.

• Do not make the process too cumbersome and complicated.

• Do not make the process too cumbersome and complicated.

• Do not make any derogatory remarks when your child makes mistakes.

References

• "Parents"; Hygiene Basics for Kids; Hygiene Basics for Kids; Felicia Megginson; 2011

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish