I remember my father telling me to wash my hands before eating. But it took a long time (and some tapping on the palms for not washing before eating) for me to learn about this hygiene. How do we teach kids about this kind of things? Although I eventually learned to wash hands, I think my father did the wrong way of teaching me. I want to do it right when I have my own kid already.

I taught my kids to sing while they washed their hands and made sure to have little shaped soaps to make it fun. Now they have foam hand soap to help.

In our house it is very matter of fact...that's just what we do. We all (adults and kids) go wash our hands before we sit down to eat. No reminding and no punishment, we just do it!

In our house it is very matter of fact...that's just what we do. We all (adults and kids) go wash our hands before we sit down to eat. No reminding and no punishment, we just do it!

I figure you are saying the adults just set the exaple and the children follow. That's the best idea I think, but sometimes we do forget, even adults. I wash my baby's hand or wipe them depending on the situation, don't know what I will do further on.

Yes, I think leading by example is the best way to teach a child. I could remember when I was in my high school days and my teacher tells me that smoking and drinking is bad for the health but then I would see him outside the school smoking. I think this is also the reason why many children of today disobey their parents because the parents themselves don't follow the rules they impose on their children.