Early education in hygiene is very important. Though discussing this with your children may not be an easy task, these few guidelines should help:

Teach children how to wash their hands: Let them know that hand-washing prevents the spread of infection. Encourage them to wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet, after handling animals, if they are ill or if they are spending time with a newborn baby. Washing is also essential to avoid developing threadworms, which cause itching around genitals.

Discuss daily bathing: Let them know all the places germs like to hide and how best to clean them with soap and water.  Encouraging casual conversation about hygiene will usually create a more comfortable environment.

Discuss dental hygiene: You can demonstrate with toothbrush, paste and dental floss. Better still; invite a dentist over to add a professional touch. The dentist can explain the germs found in the mouth and how they can harm the child. They should be taught where the germs hide and how to get rid of them by brushing and flossing morning and night.

Learn to demonstrate: Demonstrate how colds and bacteria are passed around and teach the children how to avoid spreading germs through food and physical contact.

Be mindful of teenagers:

Pay attention to the changes in your child's body and smells. As they go through puberty, they usually will begin to have a stronger body odour. Discuss this with your child in a private atmosphere as soon as you sense the change. Broaching the subject first will help your child to understand what they are going through. Explain to them that daily bathing is very important. Tell them that people who are engaged in sporting and other physical activities are exposed to bacteria and as a result, they have to shower frequently.

Get deodorants for them: You can decide whether you want to include antiperspirants as well. Tell them to use them every morning, usually after they shower, just as you do.

Don't forget

o To discuss shaving with your children. Teach them how it is done.

o Explain the menstrual cycle to your daughter as early as nine or 10 years. Teach them when to expect it and what to do when it arrives.  Have some feminine hygiene products on hand and explain how often they should be changed.

o Make a point of explaining the anatomical changes a body goes through during puberty.

o Ask your children to consult you if they are feeling ill.  Seek medical attention if you feel it is necessary, and wait until the child is feeling normal before returning them to school.

o Nail biting should be discouraged. A lot of germs live and breed inside nails and when bitten, there is a transfer of these germs to the mouth from where they can get into the digestive tract.

o Let your daughter know that a suitable hair length and style such as a bun, is a very easy way of minimising the risk of lice.
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