It is important for children to wash their hands regularly, especially after playing, completing their daily chores, before and after meals, and after using the washroom. Washing hands is crucial when it comes to preventing diseases and spreading bacteria. However, children tend to forget the importance of washing their hands and require a little guidance from their parents for maintaining their health and hygiene.
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Here are the reasons why it is necessary for children to wash their hands regularly
Germs found on hands
There are two types of germs or microorganisms that are found in your hands. They are called resident and transient microorganisms. Resident microorganisms are germs that do not cause any disease. Transient microorganisms can spread on your hands simply by sneezing, touching and coughing and can be avoided if you wash your hands daily.
Preventing diseases from spreading
When you forget to wash your hands properly, it can contribute to a number of diseases like diarrhea, cold, eye diseases and skin infections.
Read on for some tips you can follow in order to effectively teach your kids the importance of washing hands
Be a role model
One of the best ways to ensure that your kids adopt a good habit is to lead by example. Make sure they see you regularly washing your hands. This will further reinforce the verbal lessons you give them about the need to wash their hands.
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Make it a fun activity
You should make the task of washing hands fun and interesting. You could try having a little fun by making soap bubbles, while they learn the importance of washing their hands.
Make it an attractive experience
In the beginning, you should give your child a colorful towel or a scented soap. This will help grab your child’s attention and make them look forward to the routine of washing hands.
Make it convenient
If your sink and wash basin is too high for kids, you should arrange a footstool to help your child use it conveniently. Make sure, towels and soap easily accessible to your child.
Make it a routine
Set a routine before meals and after meals. Make an announcement before a meal that hands need to be washed. This will inculcate the importance of washing hands from a very young age.
Make use of other resources
Make use of books or videos to help your child understand the importance of washing hands.
Keep sanitizers with you
Ensure that you carry sanitizers or wipes with you since there might not be a sink present. Your child will thus not only understand that they need to keep their hands clean but also the importance of being prepared to take care of their hygiene under any circumstances.
With the aforementioned pointers, you are sure to succeed in educating your children about the importance of developing a regular hand-washing habit.
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