“Honey, remember to wash your hands thoroughly before eating! Mommy taught you, right?” – A familiar saying from countless Vietnamese mothers, expressing their care and attention to their beloved children. Hygiene for preschool children is a top concern for parents, as it directly affects their children’s health and development. So, how can we best care for our little ones?
The Importance of Hygiene for Preschool Children
Health is Gold
“Health is wealth,” as the proverb goes. Children are the future of our nation, the seedlings of our country. Maintaining hygiene for preschool children not only helps them stay healthy and reduces illness, but also contributes to improving their quality of life, helping them develop comprehensively in terms of physical, mental, and intellectual well-being.
Disease Prevention
Preschool children have immature immune systems and are susceptible to infections. Poor personal hygiene can lead to respiratory, digestive, and skin diseases. According to Professor and Doctor Nguyen Thi Mai, author of the book “Child Healthcare,” “Personal hygiene is one of the most important factors in preventing diseases for young children.”
Good Habits for Life
Personal hygiene is not just a necessity but also a good habit for life. When children are taught how to maintain hygiene from a young age, they develop a scientific, neat, and organized lifestyle and become more confident in life.
Key Aspects of Hygiene for Preschool Children
Personal Hygiene
- Handwashing: Wash hands with antibacterial soap before eating, after using the toilet, after playing outdoors, after contact with animals, etc.
- Bathing: Bathe thoroughly daily, change into clean clothes every day, especially after playing sports or vigorous activities.
- Brushing Teeth: Brush teeth twice a day, morning and evening, using toothpaste suitable for the child’s age.
- Nail Trimming: Keep fingernails and toenails clean and trimmed regularly to prevent infection.
Environmental Hygiene
- Home Hygiene: Keep the house clean, well-ventilated, and dry, avoid dampness, regularly clean, wipe, and sweep, use disinfectants to kill bacteria and mold.
- Toy Hygiene: Wash toys with soapy water, sunbathe them regularly, especially plastic, plush, and fabric toys.
- Play Area Hygiene: Keep play areas clean, well-ventilated, free of trash, and avoid insects, mosquitoes, and flies.
Diet
- Hygienic Eating: Eat cooked food, drink boiled water, wash raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly before preparation, use fresh food, avoid street food, food of unknown origin, limit sugary and fried foods, drink enough water, and eat a nutritious diet.
- Vitamin Supplementation: Supplement vitamins and minerals for children by giving them plenty of green vegetables, fruits, and milk.
Sleep and Rest
- Adequate Sleep: Preschool children need adequate sleep, from 10-12 hours per day, with a nap of 1-2 hours.
- Well-ventilated Bedroom: Keep the bedroom well-ventilated, clean, quiet, use clean mattresses, blankets, sheets, and wash and sunbathe them regularly.
Important Notes on Hygiene for Preschool Children
- Doctor Consultation: Take children for regular health check-ups, consult doctors about nutrition and vaccinations, and ask doctors about appropriate hygiene measures for each age group.
- Education and Promotion: Educate children about personal hygiene from a young age, teach them how to maintain personal hygiene, and create good habits by regularly reminding and praising them when they do well.
- Learning from Experience: Learn from the experiences of other parents, refer to materials on child hygiene, and participate in childcare classes.
What to Consider When Maintaining Hygiene for Preschool Children?
What should parents consider when maintaining hygiene for preschool children? This is a question of great interest to many parents. In addition to applying proper hygiene measures, parents need to pay attention to the following:
- Choose Suitable Hygiene Products: Choose hygiene products suitable for the child’s age, free of harmful chemicals, and ensure safety for the child.
- Check Products Carefully: Check the expiration date of hygiene products carefully, avoid using expired products that may be harmful to the child’s health.
- Always Supervise Children: Always supervise children when bathing, brushing teeth, and trimming nails to ensure their safety.
- Be Patient in Teaching Children: Be patient in teaching children how to maintain personal hygiene, create good habits by regularly reminding and praising them when they do well.
Secrets from Nature: Hygiene for Preschool Children with Herbs
“Homegrown herbs” are always a valuable and safe source of materials for health. According to Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, some herbs have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to protect the health of young children.
Some herbs that can be used for hygiene for preschool children:
- Basil leaves: Have antiseptic properties, help eliminate odors, and prevent respiratory and digestive diseases.
- Perilla leaves: Have anti-inflammatory properties, help reduce itching, and treat diaper rash and pimples.
- Kinh giới (Elsholtzia ciliata) leaves: Have antiseptic properties, help treat skin fungus, pimples, and help children sleep well.
How to use:
- You can use the above herbs to boil water for bathing children, or use these herbs to prepare nutritious dishes for children.
Note:
- Consult a doctor before using herbs for young children to ensure safety.
- Avoid using herbs for children with allergies or a history of medical conditions.
Hygiene for Preschool Children – A Community Concern
The “Golden hearts” of everyone will contribute to protecting health and creating a better living environment for preschool children. Maintaining hygiene for preschool children is the responsibility of every family, school, and community.
Let’s join hands to create a safe and healthy living environment for children!