Practicing what you preach goes in a long way to teach children good habits. In a country like India where climate is warm and humid it is necessary to inculcate the regular habit of bathing and hygiene from the very first year of a child’s life. Hygiene includes bathing, hand washing, brushing teeth, hair cutting etc. Children at the pre school level are old enough to understand the importance of hygiene because constantly parents and teachers guide them in following the hygienic routine.
Hand Wash
At the age of two to three years when a child is ready for play school, you have to help your child in getting into habit of washing his hands at home, school and when he is at a friend’s house before eating, after going to the toilet or playing in the garden. Make sure you set a trend of good behavior for your child by washing up yourself!
You have to explain him why it is necessary to wash hands because he is old enough to understand the importance of washing hands but as a parent you have to reinforce this behavior. Though at this age they are always restless and in a hurry so every time he may not wash his hands, after playing with dirt, mud or using toilet because hand washing is the last thing on his mind but slowly and steadily when he will observe you, imitate what you do and on repeated reminders from you, he will follow the hand wash routine after every activity which makes his hands dirty. But for this, he should first see you washing your hands in the washroom.
In many play schools, the teacher/supervisor along with the maids take the child to the bathroom and show them how to wash hands with (mild) soap. Therefore in such play schools the height of the sink is kept low so that the child can easily wash his hands. At home either you can hold him and help him with his hand wash or keep a stool near the sink and assist him so that he can wash his hand himself.
As an on going activity in some schools, in order to encourage good hygienic practices in Children, if the child remembers to wash his hands before and after his meals, then the teachers put smiley/butterfly stamp on the child’s hand or ask other children to clap for him. This really reinforces children to repeat the behavior to get appreciation from classmates and teachers.
In play school we have children as young as two years old and sometimes they might not even be potty trained. Here we teach them that after potty they have to wash hands and if the child reminds the teacher to wash his hands after the activity, then the teacher takes the child to a recreation/ Doll room for 5-10min as a reward.
In school, we explain them that whenever their hands get dirty/unclean while playing, sneezing, coughing then washing of hands is important otherwise mud, dirt , might go into their mouth leading to infections. In a play school, teaching hand wash is of prime importance whenever the child is playing with sand, dough or on swings, eating, using toilet etc.The entire activity is made quite interesting as the teachers sing a song and say, “let’s go for hand wash” and immediately children make a line and go to the washroom.
Bathing
A Child may become frightened of the bath between the age of one and two years.
At pre school age you can make bath time very enjoyable and fun. There are some imaginative and interesting toys for preschoolers , which could be attached to the bathtub or bathroom tiles. Wind- up toys, floating toys, (Ducks, fishes –which are child friendly because few children have habit of chewing rubber toys), boats, water wheels are some such toys that children really enjoy.
These are the toys, which are also used in a play school as teaching aids during the concept of water/splash pool party.
Children will look forward for bath time if you use bubble bath because children of all ages just enjoy blowing the bubbles. I have observed that some children don’t enjoy this bubble blowing activity so my advice to the parents of these children is to read a story, which the child likes to listen, to make his bath time free of stress. Bathroom should be neat and clean before child goes for a bath.
Smelly and dirty bathroom could repel a child from going into the bathroom and taking a bath.
Whatever you do, don’t compel your child to have a bath. Young children can be very negative, so pressure usually achieves the opposite of what you have anticipated.
Some children are so fond of bathing that parents have to promise their favorite story reading session or their favorite TV program to bring them out of bathroom.
Nail Cutting
When a child starts going to play school then cutting the fingernails is very difficult as well as important task for parents for simple reasons of safety and hygiene. Over grown fingernails could hurt him and other children too.
I have parents coming and complaining that while playing or otherwise, some other child scratched their child due to the child’s over grown/ sharp nails. Children generally create fuss over cutting nails. At this age, it is easier to cut nails when they are watching TV, sleeping or reading a book. Emery board is a better option than scissors and nail clippers because children are restless most of the time when their nails are being clipped, which can hurt them.
Brushing
A child should be taught to carefully brush the teeth in the morning and after dinner but he can adopt maintaining the good dental hygiene only if you brush your teeth in the morning and evening.
In a play school there is a concept of correct way of brushing the teeth and children are introduced to the dentist also, who teaches them the correct way of brushing teeth. In play school we teach plenty of songs and rhyme based on good hygiene and brushing. Through music and movement, teacher teaches them how to take small amount of toothpaste and use small, mild circular movements focused on the area where the teeth and gums meet and cleaning one side at a time. However, before the child starts going to the school, parents should teach the child how to hold the brush. Encourage your child to make lot of foam with the toothpaste. You have to set a good example by brushing your own teeth. If a child sees you enjoying this action then he will join in the fun, along with you.
In the beginning parents have to brush child’s teeth. But at the pre- school age, a child can brush his teeth himself. Young children at this age love to copy so parents can brush teeth together with the child. You can position mirror at his height and let him choose his own toothbrush. These days plenty of colorful and interesting brushes of different shapes and designs are available in the market. This is an added incentive for a child.
Ideally, your child’s toothbrush should have a small head and soft bristles which allows it to reach all parts of his mouth effortlessly and without difficulty.
In India the tap water is generally fluoridated, the appropriate level of fluoride in a children's toothpaste is 1.000 parts per million (ppm). If your water does contain fluoride, the level of fluoride in a children's toothpaste should be 500ppm. Before buying toothpaste, the pack should be checked for the fluoride level. If you are unsure then it’s preferable to take low fluoride toothpaste as fluoride toxicity may lead to marks /patches (discoloration) on teeth. Brushing should be done by parents until the child is seven-eight years old, in order to ensure proper dental hygiene.
Hair Cutting
In India the first haircut even today is a ritual and ceremony in some families. For some toddlers hair cut can be traumatic and they simply howl in protest. Hair cut should not be frightening or forceful. Hair cut should be simple and maintenance free at the age of 2-3 years when child is ready for the play school.
Hairstyle should ideally be shorter and presentable at this age because it is easier to keep them clean. Instead of visiting a barber you can find someone who can come to your house, in case your child is frightened. I suggest parents that if the child is not comfortable in the barber shop with new surroundings and strangers then don’t force the child. Hair cut should be as pleasant as possible. Child should be calm and in control, and if he is not then the other option is to carefully cut your child’s hair yourself. It can be much easier if your child has slightly wavy hair. However, you have to be very cautious while cutting his hair. A child feels comfortable in familiar surroundings and it is more convenient and flexible for both of you.
If your child’s hair growth is fast then cut them frequently and at regular intervals because it could cause problems of lice in the hair, irrespective of the gender.
Children at this age (1-5 years) are curious and inquisitive about things happening around them and are in a learning phase so whatever they learn during this stage will mark a blue print in his mind forever.