Clean Kids: Getting into the Clean Routine

Every class has one kid who everyone else calls "the stinky kid." You know... the child that doesn't seem to know how to perform routine hygiene habits. The last thing that every parent wants is for that kid to be theirs! You can help prevent stinky-kid syndrome by preparing your child to practice some basic self-care and establish healthy hygiene habits.

Keeping Kids Clean Routine

Even young kids are capable of performing basic hygiene tasks, like washing their own bodies and hands. The lifelong skills of learning good self-care cannot be understated!

Teaching your kids to be clean:

• Have a discussion with your child about the importance of self-care and what that includes. Let your child know what is likely to happen if he does not take care of himself; things like tooth problems, bad odors, acne, etc.
• Take the time to teach your child how to manage his self care. While using deodorant or flossing your teeth each day may seem like second nature to you, your child has to learn to establish this routine.
• Get your child the supplies and tools he needs to engage in self-care.
• Encourage your child to establish a hygiene routine. This is the best and most effective way to make self-care a daily part of his life. You can create a behavior chart that includes everything from bathing to flossing.
• Always be a good role model. If your child sees that you do things each day to care for yourself by cleaning, showering, etc., he will be more likely to do so as well.
• Consider using a chart to list what's expected of your child's clean routine. He can keep the chart in a discreet location in the bathroom until he gets the hang of the regular routine. When your child accomplishes clean routine tasks on the chart, provide small rewards.

Being successful at self-care is a skill that will last a lifetime. It can also keep your child from being the stinky kid in class! By taking the steps today to help your child establish good self-care routines, you will be helping him for many years to come. It is easier than it seems, and your child will probably be more on board than you may realize!