How to teach hygiene and cleanliness to children
As adults, it can be easy to overlook young children's abilities and sometimes we assume they are not old enough to grasp the concept of hygiene. However, a study from the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology shows that children can learn healthy habits when given the right kind of information about germs from a young age. [1]
By combining education with practicing routines, you can empower kids at your daycare or kindergarten to develop healthy habits and manage their own hygiene effectively. So how to go about it? We’ll cover all the basics to equip you with the resources you might need.
Why is teaching children hygiene and cleanliness important?
Teaching cleanliness and basic hygiene to kids is important for a number of reasons:
Children pick up infections and illness more easily than adults
Kids under the age of seven have immature immune systems. [2] This means their bodies are only starting to build resistance to bacteria and viruses through exposure to lots of new people and environments. Their respiratory systems also continue to develop until they are school-age, making kids more prone to frequent respiratory infections.
Thus, teaching children about personal hygiene habits is crucial to reduce the frequency and gravity of the infections or illnesses they may catch as they develop.
Kids are hands-on and curious
Children constantly learn and grow by using their senses to explore the world around them. This might look like touching everything they see or trying to put objects in their mouths. Such intense physical interaction with the environment around them makes them vulnerable to germs entering their body and becoming ill.
Germs thrive in daycares, schools, and playgrounds
It is common for kids to share spaces with their peers, from your daycare or kindergarten to parks and playgrounds. As children are very tactile and not all many have not yet learned good hygiene practices, these areas are often covered with germs and dirt that spread around.
Learning good hygiene habits is an essential part of growing up
Learning good hygiene habits benefit children throughout their lives, promoting health and well-being. Basically, the earlier they understand that cleanliness is important to protect themselves from illnesses and infections, the better equipped kids are to stop the spread of disease. These habits extend beyond personal health, as they also contribute to creating a safe, clean environment for others.
It’s worth keeping in mind that an early hygiene and cleaning education prevents children from picking up bad habits that are harder to unlearn later in life.
Key hygiene and cleanliness lessons for children
Hand hygiene education
Handwashing is one of the most fundamental hygiene practices and the perfect first cleanliness lesson for a kid. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing with soap could protect about 1 out of every 3 young children who get sick with diarrhea, and almost 1 out of 5 young children with respiratory infections like pneumonia. [3]
When teaching kids about handwashing, it's important to explain that dirty hands could carry harmful germs that can make them sick, so they need to wash them off and dry afterwards. Try encouraging handwashing as daily routine at the following key moments:
- When hands are visibly dirty
- After visiting the restroom
- After playing outside
- Before eating snacks and meals
- When getting home
- After blowing their nose
Not only should kids understand when to wash their hands, but also how. So, it's important to teach them the correct handwashing technique:
- Wet - Wet your hands with clean, running warm water. Turn the faucet off and apply soap.
- Lather - Rub your hands with soap. Lather between the fingers, the back of the hands, and under the nails.
- Scrub - Scrub your hands together until you've completely spread the soap across them.
- Rinse - Turn the faucet back on and rinse your hands in clean, running water.
- Dry - Use a paper towel to dry your hands.
Whether you manage a kindergarten or a daycare, keep in mind that Tork hand soaps offer mildly formulated options that are gentle even on young, sensitive skin. When paired with our refillable and easy-to-use hand soap dispensers you can also ensure children use only what is needed, thanks to our dose control feature. And remember, choosing Tork paper hand towels over air dryers is the safer choice.
Cleaning the environment around them
Setting up cleaning tasks throughout the school day can be a good way to encourage children to look after their surroundings as well as themselves. Start by discussing the way germs spread through contact and onto surfaces, and then the importance of keeping a clean classroom. Small tasks can include:
- Throwing away trash into bins
- Wiping down surfaces with paper towels and cleaning cloths, especially high-touch areas
- Putting toys and learning materials back in their assigned places
By incorporating these small assignments into their daily routines, children can learn the value of a clean environment, develop a sense of responsibility, and minimize the spread of germs.
Making hygiene education child-friendly
Teaching hygiene to young kids and maintaining their interest can be a challenge. But try not to worry, we’ve got some tips to keep them engaged:
Create an interactive experience
Children are more likely to engage if you make learning fun and not feel like a chore. Consider activities such as singing songs, fun worksheets, and physical games.
For instance, an effective way to make handwashing more interesting is to sing the 'Happy Birthday' song twice while doing it. This technique also ensures that kids wash their hands for the recommended minimum 20 seconds.
You can also get support from
Use visual aids
Visual aids, such as colorful posters, can serve as reminders for kids and enhance their long-term memory. Some options are to create classroom cleaning checklists and a board with hygiene information. Luckily, you don’t need to come up with everything from scratch, as we offer free downloadable posters from Ella's Handwashing School. Just make sure to put them in a spot children are exposed to daily... repetition is the mother of learning, after all.
Reward children for completing cleaning tasks
Rewards can be a powerful motivator for kids. Using systems such as stickers and exclusive diplomas can offer positive reinforcement, leading their young minds to associate cleaning with positive results. Over time, the goal is for children to clean out of habit without the need for any compensation. That’s when healthy habits become a natural part of their daily lives.
Educating children on the importance of cleanliness and hygiene can be a big challenge, so it’s okay to take it one step at a time. Try different initiatives to see which stick and come back to them every once in a while to check they’re still working. And remember, understanding and practicing basic hygiene is essential for kids to stay healthy and to protect those around them—including you.
Learning how to maintain your wellbeing is not just for kids, there’s always more to discover. So why not explore how personal hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace contribute to a healthier environment for everyone?
To find out more ways to improve your educational facility, check out our guide to sustainable campuses. And for more general hygiene knowledge, explore our
References
[1] Katy-Ann Blacker, Vanessa LoBue, Behavioral avoidance of contagion in childhood, Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, Volume 143, 2016, Pages 162-170, ISSN 0022-0965
[2] https://health.choc.org/why-is-my-child-always-sick-a-pediatrician-answers-your-questions/
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/index.html