Overview
When a baby makes the transition into childhood, it may be more of a challenge to keep her fresh. As a child grows, so do his opportunities for the face, hands and feet to become messy and dirty. Learning proper cleanliness skills in childhood can help prevent the spread of germs and illness, according to Parents.com. As a child grows, good hygiene becomes increasingly important because hormonal changes during puberty lead to stronger body odor and oilier hair and skin.
Hand Washing
Hand washing is the No. 1 line of defense against germs, according to Kids Health.org. A child should learn to wash his hands frequently, especially before meals and after going to the bathroom. The Mayo Clinic suggests placing a chart near the bathroom sink as an incentive to note each time a child washes her hands.
Bathing
A daily bath or shower is necessary to keep a child’s body clean and free of germs, according to Parents.com. Bath time can be more enjoyable if your child understands that it’s part of an established routine, such as before bed or first thing in the morning.
A child should learn to to wash her face, armpits, ears, genital area, feet and hands. It’s also important to scrub underneath fingernails and toenails, where dirt may become trapped.
Hair Care
Hair washing is essential to good hygiene for children. But unlike bathing, a child’s hair doesn’t necessary have to be shampooed every day, according to Parents.com. In fact excess washing can cause hair to dry out and may cause an itchy scalp–even hair loss.
Active kids who are outdoors or who sweat a lot may need to wash their hair more frequently. This is particularly true for kids nearing puberty, when hair is apt to be oilier and attract more dirt.
Toilet Hygiene
Proper wiping after using the toilet is an important part of personal hygiene for children. Each time there is a bowel movement, bacteria are excreted from the body. If bacteria are not sufficiently wiped away, it sits on the skin, according to the University of Minnesota.
Girls should wipe from front to back after urination and bowel movements to keep from spreading bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra, according to Kids Health.org.
Oral Care
Young children should brush their teeth once a day, according to Children’s Youth and Women’s Family Health Services. A child younger than 5 may need assistance with teeth brushing. Older kids should be brushing on their own.
By age 12, a child should be brushing three times a day. Older children may eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day, which makes them more prone to tooth decay.
