Lessons in cleanliness for kids

According to clinical psychologist Haim Ginott, “Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” These impressions that are inscribed on their mind last a lifetime.

Therefore, we need to inculcate and develop good qualities and habits in our children from a very early age. Of all the qualities and habits that we as parents need to instil in our little ones, is the habit of cleanliness.

As a responsible and careful parent myself, I would like to share some tips related to personal cleanliness:

• Begin your child’s day by asking them to freshen up, followed by a meticulous hand wash.
• Guide them to brush their teeth properly for at least two to three minutes to keep them cavity-free. Brushing teeth twice a day should be made a regular habit.
• Educate them to take a bath properly with anti-bacterial soap everyday.
• Encourage them to wash hands before and after every meal with good quality anti-bacterial soap.
• Teach them how to use a tissue while coughing or sneezing.
• Make sure they trim their nails properly as they are the favourite places for germs to grow.
• Instruct them to wear washed, cleaned and ironed clothes.

Further, educate your child that not just personal hygiene, cleanliness is, in fact, a wider expression. It is a global term, which includes cleanliness of personal space like our homes, neighbourhood, as well as our surroundings. It is important to know and realise that not only personal hygiene, but environmental cleanliness is also of utmost importance.

The following points should be kept in mind to inculcate the virtue of environmental cleanliness deep into children:

• Teach them not to spill food while eating.
• Instruct them not to throw bits of papers or garbage on the floor. Instead, tell them to throw garbage into dustbins.
• Advice your kids to keep their toys and books in proper place.
• Direct them to carry a paper bag whenever they go out, so as to avoid disposal of garbage in the open.
• Tutor them not to litter the city.

Apart from teaching them basic cleanliness etiquettes, as cautious and caring parents, it is also important to involve them in keeping the surroundings clean, guide them to pick litter and throw it in waste baskets, keep a check on them by assessing them and rewarding them for following the golden rules of cleanliness, develop realisation and understanding about hygienic and unhygienic lifestyles.