Personal Hygiene Tips for Kids

School is open at La Jolla Montessori School! As an outgrowth, here are personal hygiene tips for kids and for parents to follow-thru daily. 

As we move towards a ‘new normal,’ we have created these hygiene tips for parents to learn, educate, and incorporate with their children right now. 

Here’s how parents can help:

• Explain good and bad habits and why we must maintain good hygiene
• Start with the basics while educating children about germs
• Praise and encourage children when they follow these basics
• Make hygiene fun.

What Children Must Learn to Do to Neutralize Germs

More than ever before, washing hands has become a regular daily routine. Washing hands before and after prepping food; being outside; after going to the bathroom can be fun. Our classrooms and playgrounds are set up for children to be able to wash their hands independently, we make it fun by singing songs so they can do so for at least 20 seconds.

Next, we teach kids to cover their mouths when they cough and to cough into their elbow joint or handkerchief. Always turn away from people when you’re coughing or sneezing. And, hard as it is, try not to touch your face.

Beyond these simple rules about neutralizing germs, some ‘tried and true’ exercises for building good hygiene habits, include:

• Having regular baths or showers
• Washing hair regularly
• Trimming nails
• Brushing/flossing teeth
• Wearing clean clothes.

Building a regimen or routine of these many tasks one at a time will create new habits and priorities. For toddlers, use signs or stars to set reminders and use positive reinforcement to achieve these good hygiene tasks.

Working Together in the Home

To build teamwork and bonding at home, share the cleaning experience with your child. 

For example, mutual cooperation in the kitchen—spraying surfaces and sinks before and after meal preparation—is a repeated task that just becomes one more routine on how to stay safe. 

Sinks, bath, kitchen and door handles/knobs, and all high touch surfaces should be wiped down each day.

Summary

By teaching and incorporating these hygiene tips, we’re employing different ways to follow the Montessori Method. In other words, teach, observe, encourage, and let your youngest feel part of your family and of the world outside.