Poor hygiene is the major reason behind students being absent to school, with illnesses because of poor hygiene accounts for 30% of missed school days. Personal hygiene like regular handwashing, bathing, and dental care, is foundational to a student’s physical health and well-being. Healthy students concentrate, learn, and perform better academically. Schools play a good role in teaching hygiene since children spend a maximum of their day here. At Delhi Public School (DPS) Warangal we prioritize teaching student hygiene habits by conducting many programs and a supportive environment.
Core hygiene habits every student must practice
To maintain good health and prevent the spread of germs, we advise our students to follow these fundamental hygiene habits at school. They are:
1. Hand hygiene
Handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections. Students should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after using the restroom. When soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is an effective alternative.
2. Bathing and skin care
Daily bathing removes sweat and germs that children come in contact with when they run around or even sit in their daily classrooms. Having a personal soap and towels to clean themselves is very necessary and it’s how 95% of health issues can be prevented.
3. Oral hygiene
Good dental hygiene for students to prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Students should brush their teeth twice a day and clean their tongue to remove bacteria. Flossing at least once a day helps to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth, areas that a toothbrush can’t reach.
4. Nail and hair grooming
Nails are a breeding ground for germs. Regular trimming prevents dirt accumulation and the spread of bacteria. Keeping hair clean and tied back, especially during sports or other physical activities, helps maintain cleanliness and prevents the spread of head lice.
Instructional strategies and school programs
Schools promote hygiene education in schools by integrating it into the curriculum and daily routines.
1. Health education curriculum
Schools should include weekly hygiene lessons as part of a life skills or health education curriculum. These lessons cover topics from proper handwashing techniques to the importance of a balanced diet.
2. Demonstrations and visual aids
Children replicate what they see. Placing posters with simple, step-by-step instructions for proper handwashing techniques near sinks help them build a visual. Live demonstrations during school assemblies make learning about hygiene engaging and memorable for students.
3. Hygiene clubs and peer mentoring
Run hygiene programs like “Hygiene Clubs” and elect different reps from different grades so students take lead among themselves. Other students listen better when their friends advocate, it’s children psychology so let the kids manage activities around it. Activities where senior students mentor juniors on hygiene routines, while a “Hygiene Champion” award to students who do their part well will encourage all to be good at maintaining hygiene and cleanliness.
DPS Warangal’s role in promoting student hygiene
- All campus washrooms and toilet blocks have 24 x 7 running water, liquid-soap, and machine to dry hands, tissues and all. Students can wash and dry hands safely and conveniently.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers are installed at the entrance of every classroom and common area, which is maintained daily by the staff.
- The school’s hostel facilities for both girls and boys offer a clean, secure, and comfortable living environment with daily sanitisation both morning and evening.
Practical tips for parents and students
Teaching hygiene at home is just as important as in school. Parents play a crucial role in building lifelong healthy habits.
1. Establish routines at home
Help your child understand from childhood about when they are supposed to wash hands, face, teeth and take a full shower. Drawing a chart makes it a fun personal bonding time with your child.
2. Encourage ownership
Allow your children to choose their own personal care items, such as soap or toothbrush designs. When kids find something appealing and fun to use, they are more prone to stick to instructions. This helps in cleanliness.
3. Reinforce positive behavior
Praise and offer small rewards for good hygiene habits. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in and will make sure they insist on taking showers, wearing clean clothes and more themselves.
Regular hygiene is for physical health as well as a student’s confidence and academic success. When a student is clean and perfectly present, he/she immediately deals with the surroundings with more confidence. Their body language changes. A clean student is a confident student, and a healthy student is a productive student.
On the other hand, a student with a shabby getup will feel insecure and try to hide among others because the spotlight will be scary to him/her. Hence as parents support your child and help them look and feel good. Physical appearance and cleanliness is vital as a student’s intellect. Since they all co-exist together and at DPS Warangal we commit that each student incorporates these habits in their lifestyle and only gets better as they grow.