Cleanliness of both the body and the surroundings is essential for a toddler’s wellbeing. An early training in cleanliness from infancy will make personal hygiene a habit for the toddlers, and it will remain with them throughout their lives. Kids are least resistant to cleanliness training when they are very young, and if trained from early childhood they will cooperate fully when you try to give them a bath or want them to brush their teeth.
Personal hygiene of infants must start with regular baths, cleaning the gums after feeding, cleaning the ears and so on. The cleaning ritual should continue progressively to brushing the teeth from the time the first tooth appears. Your pediatrician can suggest a tooth paste and brush suitable for infants and toddlers. Catching them young is the key to form a habit of cleanliness in the kids, and this habit will prompt them to accept new types of personal hygiene unresistingly as and when it comes.
Kids are excellent imitators, and they will readily follow the clean habits of their parents. So, lead by examples and show them how you brush your teeth and wash your face and let them do the same along with you. Later, they will do all these things by themselves, without ever you even asking them, because by now cleanliness has become a habit with them and they will feel uncomfortable if they don’t do these ablutions and other matters related to personal hygiene.
Posted on March 19th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Baby, Child Care, Dental care, Toddler, bath
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