How to Teach Your Child Good Health Habits

Wash those hands!

It is important to teach our children good health habits, such as hand-washing and brushing teeth. Children don't always understand the concept of microscopic germs being able to make them sick. They don't always understand the long-term benefits of caring for their teeth. It is our job to make sure our children do these tasks to stay healthy.

Instructions

1. 

   Be a good role model. Children are little sponges. Toddlers, especially, like to mimic their parents and siblings. Your first step in teaching your child good health habits is to set a good example. Let them see you wash your hands every time you use the restroom and before handling food. Let them watch you brush your teeth. You'll be amazed what your little one picks up just from watching.

2. Discuss what you are doing and why. Your child may not understand at first, but repetition is key. Eventually the idea sinks in that washing hands, brushing teeth, and other healthy tasks are things you just have to do. Explain that you wash your hands to get rid of germs. Germs can make us sick and we don't want to miss out on any fun because we are too sick to play. Explain that you brush your teeth because taking care of your teeth keeps you healthy, lets you eat all kinds of yummy foods and makes your smile pretty. We take baths to keep clean and good-smelling so other people want to be around us. Give your kids motivation to do what they need to do.

3. 

   Give your child a toothbrush and show him how to brush him teeth. When bathing, let him use the wash rag and scrub himself some. The goal here is getting children in the habit of doing these things, not complete perfection.

4. Promote hand-washing by making it easy to access the sink using a step stool. Have your child climb up, show her how to turn the knobs, apply some hand soap and show her how to scrub her hands (front and back, up to the wrists and under nails).

5. Make it fun so your children will WANT to take care of themselves. Be excited. "Let's go wash our hands!" Let them splash a little bit. When you go to the store, let them pick out the hand soap to use. Sing a silly song about brushing teeth while your toddler brushes. Make funny faces while you brush yours. Have special toys that are only available in the bath tub. This approach has my son actually asking to wash his hands any time he gets messy, laughing with glee when I announce it's time to brush our teeth, and hopping up and down excitedly while I run his bath water.

Tips & Warnings

• Never punish a child for attempting hygiene tasks. You want hand-washing, teeth-brushing, bathing and other hygiene activities to have positive associations for your little one. Use mishaps such as spilled water or toothpaste squirted all over the sink as teaching moments. Say, "Uh oh, we've made a mess. We're going to have to clean that up," and then hand your child a towel to assist with the cleaning up.