This is a collaborative post
Personal hygiene is an important aspect of life and something that is required for everyone. This lifestyle affects both physical and emotional health which is why it is recommended so heavily. For young ones such as toddlers, practising personal hygiene goes well with their developmental learning. As a parent, is important to do your best to help your child learn about this from a young age as it leads to both independence and confidence. Here are some top tips from a Montessori nursery in Richmond on teaching your child about personal hygiene.
Model hygiene yourself
Your toddler learns most of their primary habits from you. It is important to be wary about how you act in front of your child as this is what they will take as an example. Simple things such as washing your hands before you stop cooking food or making sure to wash your hands after using the toilet, are things that they will pick up on.
Sit down with your child and discuss what they think about cleanliness
Ask your child why they think that it is important to keep our bodies clean. It is quite interesting to understand what the views of children are when it comes to these things. Take this time to explain to your child why it is necessary for them to take part in these acts on a regular basis. Small things such as blowing their nose into a tissue instead of in their sleeve will stop them from spreading germs and have good etiquette. Smells and illnesses can be discussed as this is a simple way for them to understand what personal hygiene is.
Involve your child
When it comes to simple tasks, try and involve your child as much as possible. Ask them to assist you when it comes to separating darks from lights or get them to help you hang up the clothes to dry. This will help them understand simple tasks of personal hygiene such as washing and sorting clothes.