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Lacamas Life Magazine
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Bye Bye Germs!
It's back-to-school time! This time of year is full of excitement -- new friends, new challenges, and, unfortunately, new viruses. It's frustrating for the sick children to have to stay home nursing a bowl of chicken soup while their friends are out having fun, and it can be very disruptive for parents to have to miss work to tend to their little ones. On average, most kids will have between four and eight colds per year. But by teaching good hand washing habits, parents can help their children beat the odds.
Cold viruses can be passed from person to person through airborne particles, so it is important to teach kids to cover their mouths. These viruses can also be spread through touch. If Johnny rubs his runny nose and then touches a doorknob, and Mary then touches the doorknob and touches her nose, she may well end up with Johnny's cold. If either child had washed their hands, the transfer of the virus wouldn't have happened.
It is never too early (or too late!) to start teaching your child good hygiene. The first lesson is demonstrating good hand washing habits yourself. Even as infants, children are very observant. If they see you washing your hands regularly, it will more easily become a normal and natural habit for them. As kids grow into toddlers, their parents can get them more actively involved in washing their hands too. If parents are consistent about reminding their children to wash their hands before meals, after sneezing, and after using the bathroom, kids will quickly learn what is expected of them. (Though of course they will need plenty of reminders!)
Once kids are in school, it becomes both more important and more difficult to maintain good habits. As they are around so many people, and so many new toys that these people have touched, it is very easy for viruses to be passed around. And with so many friends and activities to distract them, it's easy for kids to forget the rules. Their teacher can be your strongest ally by reminding her students to wash their hands. But there are also a few ways that parents can help build strong habits at home.
Making hand washing fun can go a long ways. You could make up a silly hand washing song that everyone can sing while scrubbing. Wash your hands along with your child, and see who can make the most lather. Have your child imagine all the little germs on his hands trapped by the bubbles, and say "bye bye bubbles, bye bye germs" and wave as the suds go down the drain. Or better yet, have your child make up her own hand washing game.
Giving your children choices can help them feel more involved in the process, rather than just feeling like they are obeying orders. If hand washing seems like a choice they make on their own, they will be more likely to wash when you are not looking over their shoulder. You could take them to the store to pick out a special soap dispenser just for them. Ask them which kind of scented soap would go best with dinner. Take up soap making as a family project, and have your child pick his favorite colors, shapes, and scents. (When choosing soaps, it is not necessary to use one that has an antibacterial ingredient. They don't work on viruses.)
Children respond well to positive reinforcement, and a simple reward system can help keep them on track. One simple technique is to post a chart on the fridge, and give your children a gold star to put on the chart every time they wash their hands on schedule. Once they have enough stars they get a reward, like a trip to the zoo or special day with grandma, or whatever treat will motivate them. (But try to avoid food rewards, which can lead to unhealthy attitudes towards food.)
Good hand washing skills can keep your children healthier, and can also help keep their schoolmates healthier too. If they are reliable about hygiene, you can feel more confident about sending them back to school while they are recovering from an illness. Children often forget the rules they are taught, so patience, repetition, and consistency are important. But these hard-won habits will pay off in more days at school for the kids, and fewer workdays missed by the parents.
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