Helpful Tips First of all, relax. Remember, this is a stage that your child will pass through. The good news is there are some things you can do to help the process along, so your child can become independent and proficient with hygiene habits. Talk to your child 
If you notice your child is coming home with dirty hands or catching frequent colds, you might ask if she's washing well at school, and review the important times to wash. However some kids may get defensive when you bring the subject up. Kandoo®'s Dr. Lawrence Cohen recommends a "say what you see" approach. You might say, "I notice your hands are dirty when you come home from school, let's practice washing them," or "You've been getting a lot of colds lately. One of the best ways to prevent colds is to wash your hands because you wash off the germs that make you sick. Let's wash hands together." Review hand washing basics together If your child isn't washing well, he might just need a little tutoring. So slow down and try it one more time, washing together. Review the routine, but make it fun. Sing a song for 15 seconds while you scrub. Make the bubbles strong, and be sure you both lather the fronts and backs of your hands. You can also put up a chart (link to hand washing chart) that will help both of you keep track of your child's progress. Invite your child to wash hands with you on a daily basis and go over any specific steps your child may have trouble with. Practice the potty If you notice your child is coming home with "less than perfect underwear," try not to make him feel badly about it. Keep in mind that your child may not have even noticed there's an issue. But when you see him using the potty, take the opportunity to review the wiping basics. (Link to toilet time basics) You might ask if there's any particular part he has trouble with, and go over that one carefully. Talk to your child's teacher Ask your teacher what the school routines are, and how you might help your child master these skills. Find out when the class washes their hands and what the bathroom policy is. The more you know, the more you can help. Relate any concerns your child may be having as well. Set a good example 
Your child will learn a lot by watching you. You or your caregiver should always wash hands when you come home, before snacks and meals, when someone has a cold, and after play. Play games with a hygiene theme If she's having a conversation with stuffed animals, you might suggest she teach the animal how to wash her hands. Try the same thing for wiping, and let your child do the action on a toy. Sounds silly, but it works. Let Your Child be the Hygiene Teacher “If your child is having trouble remembering how to wipe or wash, instead of telling her what to do, you might ask her to teach it to a stuffed animal or doll. Pick up her bear and say, 'Brown bear needs some help going to the bathroom.' Or, 'Brown bear forgot how to wash his hands. Can you be the teacher and show her what to do? You're such a good teacher.' Ask leading questions if needed, like 'Did bear wash for 15 seconds?' or 'Does bear need any help wiping?' This way your child will take the lead and learn by teaching, and you'll find out what she knows." Dr. Lawrence Cohen
Kandoo®’s Parenting Expert
Author, Playful Parenting
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