Advising kids the importance of good hygiene

Are you nervous about your child’s safety as schools and fall sports start to come back? We understand that this can make your head spin and make you wonder how you can prevent them from getting sick. This feeling is normal and understandable. During the past couple months, the kids have been watching you wash your hands, wipe the grocery carts off, use hand sanitizer, clean the house more often especially highly touched surfaces and have most likely heard the phrase “don’t touch that” more than usual.

Kids tend to watch every movement their parents and peers make, so if you lead by example, they will most likely replicate the behavior because they see you doing it. It is important to talk to your kids about the importance good hygiene, in this case elaborate on washing their hands, using hand sanitizer, making sure they leave their mask on when recommended and make sure to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth if they are not clean, and try to social distance.

If you feel that you have already taught them, but they have not quite learned the importance of being extra careful; try making it easy for them to remember. Typically, if you make an activity fun for them, they will want to do it and not look at it as a chore or something they “have to do”.

Here are some recommendations:

• Practice proper hygiene
  
  • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Use Soap and water to wash all the germs away
                                      
                                      • After a day of playing outside bring them inside to wash their hands and show them how dirty the water is after playing.
                                      • Have them sing the birthday song or count to 20!
                                    • Teach them when to wash their hands:
                                      
                                      • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Blowing their nose, after using the restroom, playing outside, sneezing, coughing, before and after eating, etc.
                                                                    • Practice sneezing or coughing into their elbow!
• Sharing is caring – but not this time around
  
  • Express the importance of not sharing their toys, food and even masks, if they are going to school or involved in any outdoor activities.
    
    • Mask can be bought online, markets and retail stores or you can make your own. We encourage for you to involve them in selecting their mask or help decorate it so it is personalized and they are excited to wear it! This will hopefully discourage the want to trade it with a friend, as we know kids love to trade their stuff with their friends.
• Be a role model
  
  • “Monkey see, monkey do” – as my father would say.
    
    • As stated before, be a role model for them, if they see you do it, they will do it to.
    • Be positive and encourage them to wear a mask if they feel uncomfortable or self- conscious
    • Be patient with them as it may take some time to get used to having the mask on while playing outside or being around their friends/ family.

As we all adjust to the new normal, we have to be patient and understanding with our little ones, they are often hit harder than adults during a pandemic. Check in with them to make sure they are okay and if they have questions, it is okay to talk to them and help them understand what is going on and why we need to be extra careful.

For more updates and information check back with us every Thursday for new information on how to adjust to life during Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our goal it to make sure you have easy access to information you need in order to keep yourself and loved ones safe. 

       Thank you to all our heroes out on the front lines working hard, saving lives, and keeping us safe. 

                                                                                                                                          HSP appreciates you!