We all know that coronavirus can be transmitted human to human. To avoid being infected by coronavirus, we have to make sure that we do not have any contact with a person who is carrier of this virus.

Proper hygiene can be taught to preschoolers so that good hygiene habits will become part of them as they grow. The following are the three proper hygiene that can be inculcated among preschoolers:

1. Wash hands the right away. Share with your child the five hand-washing steps from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds or hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

2. Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. Encourage your child to use tissue or handkerchief in covering his/her mouth when he/she sneezes or cough. This will prevent the virus from infecting other peers.

3. Use tissue to clean nose. There are some children who dig their nose. Teach your child to clean his/her nose with a tissue or during shower time. Immediately wash hands after in contact with secretions to prevent spread of virus.

These are some of the good hygiene habits that we can share with our preschoolers. As they grow, they will acquire these habits and these will become part of their daily, healthy life. Let us prevent the spread of viruses in the future by inculcating good hygiene habits to the little ones now. Let us start them young!