Encouraging self care
It is very important to teach your children about hygiene and personal care when they are young. This will lead to good habits that will last a life time. At Somerville we encourage independence from an early age.
Handwashing – teach your child to wash their hands properly with soap and water before and after meals, after playing outside or with pets and after being in contact with someone who is sick.
Hand hygiene is one of the most important ways of controlling the spread of infections, especially those that cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting and respiratory infections.
Washing hair – washing hair too often can dry out young scalps, making them more prone to dandruff, two of three times a week is enough until kids begin puberty which can make hair greasy, so washing with shampoo may be necessary every other day.
Bathing – if your child hates bathing, try making a thorough bath into a fun game as you teach them to put a washcloth into soapy water before scrubbing a body part and then rinsing.
Underarm care – sweat starts to become body odour usually around the age of 9-10. Talk to your child about the importance of washing under their arms, especially after sports practice and encourage them to wear deodorant.
Nails – keep nails trimmed and help your child scrub out any dirt from under them as germs from nails can easily transfer to their eyes, nose, and mouth.
Oral Hygiene
It is extremely important for children to brush their teeth and have regular visits to the Dentist. Children need to brush their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes using a fluoride based tooth paste.
Poor oral hygiene can cause tooth decay and lengthy dental treatment. Please see the NHS website for more support.
NHS Website link.
