How to teach your child to maintain hygiene during Coronavirus?
How to teach your child to maintain hygiene during Coronavirus?
Taking care of cleanliness around children has always been an important well-being criterion for parents. However, the sudden outbreak of the global pandemic Covid-19 by the Coronavirus has put the parents in the biggest hygiene concern ever. It is generally very tricky to keep children in the clean surroundings 24/7. They go outside, meet many friends, play on the ground, touch various surfaces, and more. All these activities are an open invitation to the Coronavirus. Also, children are not fond of washing hands often. They may get furious at times when asked to wash hands after performing certain activities.
Gear up for Hygienic Parenthood!
Okay, we know you are already a good parent. But, this pandemic can take a toll on your efforts if you loosen up. Be lenient for other activities, but do not compromise on your child’s hygiene and clean surroundings. So, how to teach your child to practice healthy habits during Coronavirus and beyond? Here are some tips that you can use to make hygiene a fun habit for your child. Let’s find out.
Tips to Encourage Hygiene Practices in Children
A Rewardful Hand Wash Activity
Children love challenges. If you keep asking them to wash hands without any fun, they won’t like it. Encourage your child to wash hands every time they touch anything outside the home or meet someone. It helps in reducing the Coronavirus illness chances. You can give some reward every day they wash their hands without fail. Create a Super Badge or offer some game time as a reward. Your child will love it, and eventually, he/she will make it a habit. Sounds great!
Teach your Child about Coronavirus
Sometimes it is better to explain things rather than just asking children to follow what you say. Coronavirus is a problem that your child must know. Decide how much information is suitable for your child as per their age. For children under 8 years, storytelling and associating it with today’s scenario is the best way to teach. Let them know how they can help themselves, family, and the world by maintaining hygiene. Teach them about the coronavirus symptoms. Children need to be able to explain their health problems immediately. Rest, keep them motivated by saying their contributions are paying off. Appreciation encourages children to do things better.
Say ‘No’ to the HandShake
Parents and Teachers teach children to shake hands. However, during the pandemic, we need to ask them to unlearn the handshake. This greeting gesture can transfer the dangerous Coronavirus disease from a Covid-19 Positive patient to children. Tell children to greet with a Hand Wave or perform the Indian Traditional ‘Namaste.’ Following this step can be fun and lifesaving for the kids. Also, emphasize on cleaning hands after coming from outside/play area.
Normalize Wearing Masks
Nobody likes masks on. However, today it is not about liking; it is all about safety from an invisible enemy. Tell your children to wear masks. Show them the right way to handle masks. Many interesting cartoon characters/customized masks are already out in the market. You can buy those masks for your child to make masks their favorite thing. Also, teach children to sneeze near the elbow if they don’t have their masks on. It reduces the chances of further spread of viruses. Unfortunately, the world has to breathe under masks until we find a cure.
Practice Hygiene as a Family
It is said that family is the first school of a child. Your child will make all the hygienic efforts only when he/she sees you doing the same. Parents need to engage in hygiene activities with children. After all, it is the need of this time to stay safe and protect your family. You can have a clean hands championship and maintain a scoreboard to count who is leading the hand wash score, your child. It will be fun with hygiene.
Children are more susceptible to illness. They often come in contact with various people, surfaces that might contain the Coronavirus. Hence, the motto of 2020 is absolute hygiene. Sanskruti World School, an International School in Palghar, is actively encouraging students to maintain hygiene and stay healthy. The times are unprecedented. As parents, we urge you to use simple ways to make coronavirus hygiene practices fun. The vaccine for this pandemic is yet to come, and all we can do is; stay at home, practice cleanliness, and stay healthy. Follow the coronavirus guidelines, and we all shall get through it safely soon!
