Teach Children Cleanliness By Teaching Good Habits

Although a slight diversion from house cleaning, good hygiene habits, especially hand washing, is worth some attention. This habit is so very important. We live in a world of constant interaction with people and objects. If we could see the germs in our environment, we would certainly be alarmed. A current study tells us that:

• Less than 75% of women and less than 50% of men properly wash their hands with soap after using the bathroom
• Estimated global rates of handwashing after using the toilet are only 19%
• 80% of communicable diseases can be transferred by touch

Washing hands with soap or using a hand sanitizer should be done for many occasions and here are a few: before preparing and touching food, after handling money, and when caring for infants or anyone who is especially vulnerable to germs.

Teaching your children personal hygiene is about helping them to form good habits that once established, are done effortlessly. Forming habits is important because it creates automatic behaviours that help us achieve our goals, whatever they may be. Good hygiene habits help us maintain good health and well-being. They also help us increase our productivity. They provide structure and consistency to our life because they are ingrained actions.

Here are some tips to help you establish good habits in your children:

1. Start them young and teach them using age appropriate language.
2. Be a good role model. Nothing is more affective.
3. Establish this as an everyday responsibility.
4. Check in frequently making sure they are performed properly.
5. Promote personal hygiene as a form of wellness.

Cindy Dayman is the owner of Take Time Home Cleaning, a Winnipeg based company. Take Time to Live Well! Taketimecleaning.com 431-777-8750