Your preschooler insists on wearing that Marlins jersey for the third day (and night) straight. Your teenager neglects to wash her greasy locks for an eternal week. Your third grader loves to extract worms in the dirt and then dig into the granola mix. With a supervisory spirit, parents instill good hygiene practices in their children from preschool to high school, from flossing teeth to getting good sleep. A hygienic lifestyle will reduce germ exposure and foster a lifetime of good health, confidence, and well-being.

Wipe, scrub, and brush

Combine a young child's bathing with a fishing expedition or "Rainbow Fish" story time. Make bath a fun bedtime ritual, recommends raisingchildren.net.au. Teach them to wash thoroughly their entire body, from backs of ears to private parts, and to always wipe after using the toilet (front to back for girls to prevent urinary tract infections).

Connecticut Children's recommends toothbrush training by age 2 with a pea of paste. "At this age, they'll need help to actually brush, but you can also let them practice while you watch. Consider their first trip to the dentist around this time too," it states. "Make it fun and use songs, colorful toothbrushes, or reward charts to make hygiene routines enjoyable for young kids."

Topline MD Alliance advises children to wash their hands, scrubbing at least 30 seconds including between fingers and under nails, after using the toilet, playing outdoors, visiting sick people, sneezing and coughing, and before eating. "Regular hand washing is crucial for reducing the spread of disease," it says.

Nail trimming is also crucial to avoid spreading germs and scratching, while changing clothes regularly is also necessary to prevent dirt buildup and germ contamination. Teach them to sneeze into a tissue or elbow and not into hands and to wash their hands afterwards.

Nearly 4,700 students served in Trust-funded school health clinics have chronic health conditions, which may be better managed through healthy hygiene practices. Of the 56 different conditions tracked, the most common were allergies (more than half), asthma (about a third), and ADD/ADHD (more than a fifth). Nurses and health professionals working for Trust-funded agencies also conducted 2,148 educational sessions for 47,590 students and 3,695 faculty members. The most frequent educational sessions included discussions about.

Break out the skin defense

While some kids love to primp and coif, others prefer the never - combed look - even for picture day. Connecticut Children's recommends teaching children to comb or brush daily by age 6 or to tie their longer hair back to keep it clean. It states that when kids- or their parents - start noticing body odor, it's time to introduce a mild, unscented or natural deodorant. "Tweens should shower daily, especially after sports or gym class. They should focus on areas prone to odor, like underarms, feet, and private areas," it states.

Scholastic's 10 Ways to Teach Preteens Hygiene recommends a thorough hair washing every two days since "keeping hair clean and out of your child's face will lessen breakouts caused by oil and greasy hair products."

While acne breakouts are an unfortunate rite of passage for many, teach them not to pick at pimples with germy fingers since "picking causes inflammation, spreads the oil and can leave permanent scars," it says.

Connecticut Children’s describes hygiene education as a gradual process that evolves with children's age and needs. "By teaching them step by step and providing support along the way parents can help their children to develop life-long habits that promote health, confidence and healing."