How to Teach Pre-k Children the Importance of Hygiene

As an adult, you fully understand how important good hygiene is, and you've probably seen the repercussions that can occur if you don't adhere to good habits. Little kids, on the other hand, seem to spend every waking moment finding ways to fight cleanliness and introduce interesting new bacteria into their lives. Like most things, the key to teaching your kids the importance of good hygiene starts when they're young.

From head to toe, fingertip to hair follicle, these tips will help guide your child down a positive path toward good hygiene:

• Create a House of Habits. When everyone in the house does the same thing, all the time, it's not a chore, it's just a normal part of life. Everybody should wash their hands before dinner and take baths or showers at the same time of day on the same days. Each family member should brush his or her teeth before bed and after he or she wakes up. When habits become part of a normal ritual, it's easy to get your kid to follow suit.

As you're walking through these daily processes, explain the importance of each step. For example, why is it important for you to brush your teeth every day? This is a fantastic opportunity to explain how oral care helps prevent gum disease. In most cases, a pre-k child will take care of this question since those curious little minds ask about everything, but just in case you child doesn't ask, you should be ready to open the lines of communication.

• Lead by Example. In your House of Habits, you should never do something you told your child not to do. It will create confusion and conflict as your child learns. Instead, lead by example, and make fun games out of your home's hygiene rules. Play in the dirt together, then explain how germs travel from the hands to the body – usually through your mouth or a cut – and how some germs can make people sick. From here, it's on to handwashing!
• Integrate Animals into the Conversation. Nearly every little kid loves animals. Puppies, kitties, bunnies, and goats at the petting zoo all have their places in a child's happiness and developmental learning. They also present a perfect opportunity for you to explain why it's important to wash your hands any time you touch an animal. Your children don't have to understand the specifics revolving around animal interactions, but the sooner you make it clear that they need to wash their hands, the better off you'll all be down the road.
• Make A Game of It. We'll say this many more times; kids learn best by touching, feeling, and doing. The best way to introduce any idea you want them to adhere to is to make a game of it. Look around online for games that can help your child understand the importance of good hygiene.

Repetition forms habits, and when you integrate good hygiene into daily household habits, your little ones will pick up on these good behaviors in no time. Don't forget to have conversations about each hygienic activity so your kiddo can understand the why behind the what.

To learn more about All Saints' Episcopal Day School in Phoenix, including our pre-k enrollment, contact us today.