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Personal Hygiene

TTake ake A ction TTowards owards a H ealthy SSchool chool Action Healthy Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Special Considerations for Teachers a. Things for Teachers to Consider Before Talking to Students or their Families b. Starting a Dialogue with Students or Parents/Caregivers c. Ways to Engage Parents/Caregivers in Discussions About Personal Hygiene Issues 3. Additional Resources 4. PA Announcements a. Keen to be Clean b. Washing Your Clothes c. Oral Health 5. Parent Newsletter Inserts a. b. c. d.

Keen to Be Clean Baby Teeth are Important Early Childhood Tooth Decay Tips for a Healthy Smile

6. Activities and Handouts a. Teacher Resource: Discussion About Hygiene - Ideas for leading a class discussion on personal hygiene. Grade Division: Junior (Gr. 4-6) b. Hygiene Hints – Handout Grade Division: Junior (Gr. 4-6) c. Word Scramble Personal Hygiene Game & Answer Sheet Grade Division: Junior (Gr. 4-6) Appendix A: Components of A Healthy School - Personal Hygiene

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Personal Hygiene

Take Action Towards a Healthy School Introduction Purpose: To provide schools with resources and tools to address the issue of personal hygiene (including oral hygiene) using a Healthy Schools approach. What is a Healthy Schools Approach? A Healthy Schools approach is a comprehensive plan that enables schools to achieve health goals by addressing four distinct but inter-related components: o High Quality Instruction & Programs: ways to help students learn and practice skills. o Healthy Physical Environment: ways to make schools healthier and safer. o Supportive Social Environment: ways to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment. o Community Partnerships: ways to work together with partners to promote a healthy school community. How Can Schools Use this Package? Whole school: Schools can use this package to address the issue of personal hygiene by using a Healthy Schools approach for the whole school (see Appendix A: A Healthy Schools approach to Personal Hygiene chart for details.) Classroom: Teachers can use the activities and handouts as a curriculum support to address personal hygiene and oral hygiene in the classroom (see the Activities and Handouts section). The materials in this package are intended to be used in elementary schools. All materials are available online at www.toronto.ca/health and may be reproduced, with no adaptation, to use in your school, provided the source is acknowledged as: Reprinted with permission of Toronto Public Health.

Your school liaison Public Health Nurse can help! For more information contact:

N.B. The Personal Hygiene Package does not include information or resources related to hand hygiene. To receive information on hand washing and the Clean Hands Kit please contact your school liaison Public Health Nurse.

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Personal Hygiene

Take Action Towards a Healthy School Special Considerations for Teachers

Teachers are encouraged to address personal hygiene practices with an entire class or address it as a whole school initiative. However, there may be times when teachers feel that addressing the topic with an individual student and/or their family is necessary.

Things for Teachers to Consider Before Talking to Students or their Families: Hygiene practices will vary from family to family and culture to culture (e.g. how often people wash their hair or the use of deodorants). Teachers are encouraged to be mindful of the potential for different cultural norms within their classroom as they address the hygiene practices. Some families may be experiencing major stressors in their lives or may not have the financial means to support good hygiene practices. Some people may be allergic or sensitive to scents and perfumes (e.g. hairspray, cologne, body lotions), teachers may want to encourage students to use scent free products.

Starting a Dialogue with Students or Parents/Caregivers: Addressing the sensitive topics such as personal hygiene and body odour with individual students can be uncomfortable and even challenging. The following are points that teachers can use to start a dialogue with individual students and/or their families concerning good hygiene practices. Hygiene practices can affect personal relationships and friendships among children at school. Children can tease each other or even bully other children because of body odour or their personal hygiene practices. Research indicates that when children are bullied they not only suffer socially and emotionally, but their academic performance can also be affected Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel

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Personal Hygiene

Take Action Towards a Healthy School Special Considerations for Teachers

Ways to Engage Parents/Caregivers in Discussions About Personal Hygiene Issues: Teachers may find the following examples helpful when considering ways to engage parents/caregivers in discussions related to personal hygiene practices. Discuss the issue of body odour in the classroom and the social implications for students related to personal hygiene practices at parent-teacher interviews. If appropriate, display examples of personal hygiene products such as shampoo, soap or deodorant. Send an email or note home encouraging parents/caregivers to send a change of clothing to school when their children are participating in sports or gym class. Remind students to wash their gym clothes regularly at home. Use parent newsletter-inserts to remind parents/caregivers of the importance of good personal hygiene practices (e.g. see the Keen to Be Clean parent newsletter insert on page 6).

Please refer to Appendix A: Components of a Healthy School - Personal Hygiene for more examples of addressing personal hygiene using a whole school approach.

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Take Action Towards a Healthy School Additional Resources Curriculum Supports OPHEA Physical and Health Educational Curriculum Resources http://hpe.ophea.net/ Grade 3 - Personal Health and Safety: Making Healthy Choices Units 4 and 5 – Oral Health

Always Changing www.ophea.net A school-based resource designed to teach pre-teens in Grades 5 and 6 about the transition between childhood and adolescence, as well as the beginning stages of puberty (developed by Procter and Gamble and endorsed by OPHEA).

Helpful Websites Kids Health.org Growing Body and Mind - Body Stuff articles for kids Acne www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/body_stuff/acne.html# Changing Your Hair www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/body_stuff/changing_hair.html# Shaving www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/body_stuff/shaving.html Why do Feet Stink? www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/body_stuff/feet_stink.html# Your Body - Taking Care of your Body articles for teens Hygiene Basics www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/hygiene_basics.html Taking Care of your Hair www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/hair_care.html Taking Care of your Teeth www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/teeth.html Taking Care of your Skin www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/skin_tips.html Why do I Sweat So Much? www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/sweat.html What Causes Bad Breath? www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/halitosis.html

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Personal Hygiene Toronto Public Health - Dental Services www.toronto.ca/health/dental/index.htm

Brushamania Brush-a-mania is an annual program designed to promote oral health and awareness among young children (Gr. JK – 8). It was started ten years ago by the Rotary Club of Toronto - the purpose is to educate and motivate children from Junior Kindergarten to grade 6 to promote good oral health and to bring together dentists, Rotarians, teachers and parents to create a celebration around proper dental care. www.brushamania.ca/school_info.html SmileCity - Oral Care Education for Kids Learn about taking care of your teeth and mouth.

www.smilecity.ca

Canadian Dental Association - “Dental Care for Children” Information for parents on how to properly care for primary teeth and new permanent teeth. www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_children/index.asp

Available for Schools to Purchase Title: Squeaky Clean Hygiene, Grades 1-3 Author: Linda Schwartz (Author), Beverly Armstrong (Author, Illustrator) Year: 1999 City: Huntington Beach, CA Publisher: Creative Teaching Press, Inc Learning about hygiene has never been more fun! Squeaky Clean Hygiene, written especially for students in the primary grades, is packed with reproducible activities including: humorous poems, fun facts, dot-to-dots, word searches, mazes, and hidden pictures. At the same time, kids will learn about hair care, oral hygiene, bathing, changing underwear, foot and hand care, and care of the nose, eyes, and ears. While learning about hygiene, kids will get practice in alphabetizing, rhyming, vocabulary, phonics, creative writing, science, and more. The book also includes charts to help kids keep track of brushing and flossing their teeth as well as the new healthy habits they are learning about. *Note – Toronto Public Health does not endorse the messages expressed in the poem "Delaware's Underwear" page 52, and therefore do not recommend using this specific activity with students.

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Personal Hygiene

Take Action Towards a Healthy School SSample ample SSchool chool A ctivities aand nd H andouts Activities Handouts PA Announcements Parent Newsletter Inserts Classroom Activities and Handouts

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Personal Hygiene

Take Action Towards a Healthy School PA Announcements The following are sample PA announcements your school can use to promote good personal hygiene practices. Schools are encouraged to involve students and ask them to create their own hygiene messages that be used as announcements as well!

Keen to be Clean Remember …the first step to keeping clean is to wash! When you shower or bathe regularly it gets rid of the dirt and oil on your skin and reduces the bacteria that can lead to body odour. You can also try a deodorant to help prevent body odour. But remember some people are sensitive to perfumes and scents – you can try a scent free product. Nothing smells better than clean skin!

Washing Your Clothes At puberty, sweat glands start to produce more sweat, which produces body odour. Your clothes can absorb body odour as well. Wearing clean clothes on a clean body makes you feel good about yourself.

Oral Health Did you know that your teeth are covered in enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body? Help protect your teeth, gums and enamel by brushing your teeth after every meal or at least two times daily. Also, floss at least once a day to keep your smile healthy and bright.

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Personal Hygiene

Take Action Towards a Healthy School Parent Newsletter Inserts The following Parent Newsletter Inserts are available for schools to download online at www.toronto.ca/health (go to the A-Z index & select "S" for schools).

Keen to Be Clean As children approach puberty they will experience many changes within their bodies. At puberty, sweat glands start to produce more secretions. When these secretions are exposed to air and moisture they produce body odours. Children can tease each other or even bully other children because of body odour or their personal hygiene practices. Encourage your children to follow these steps to help them feel clean and fresh… Have regular showers or baths to help get rid of the dirt and oil on their skin and reduce the bacteria that can lead to body odour. Clothes can absorb body odour as well – ensure that your child’s clothes are washed regularly and wear clean clothes daily. Send a change of clothes for your children to change into after gym class.

Baby Teeth are Important Healthy baby teeth are good for children in many ways, including: speaking eating to look good and to play help to bring in healthy adult teeth Tooth decay can start early. You can prevent cavities by: giving healthy foods to your child – milk, fruit, vegetables reducing sweet and sticky foods – candy, soft drinks, cookies keeping your child’s mouth clean – brushing at least twice per day taking your child to see the dentist from an early age For information about Toronto Public Health Dental and Oral Health Services call Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600 or www.toronto.ca/health.

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Personal Hygiene Early Childhood Tooth Decay Tooth decay is one of the most common early childhood diseases. Food and bacteria on the teeth cause decay. White spots on the teeth may be signs of early tooth decay. Decay affects a child’s sleep, eating, learning and looks. To prevent decay do not put your child to sleep with a bottle. Clean your child’s mouth at least twice per day – before bedtime. For information about Dental and Oral Health Services call Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600 or www.toronto.ca/health.

Tips for a Healthy Smile Healthy teeth and gums contribute in many ways to our everyday lives. With healthy teeth a child can eat, speak, sleep and have self confidence. Healthy teeth should last a lifetime if they are cared for properly. Here are some tips to help your child be tooth smart… Children's teeth should be brushed for a minimum of two minutes at least twice a day (in the morning and in the evening before bedtime). Flossing at least once daily will remove plaque and debris from between the teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. Parents are encouraged to help floss their children's teeth. Limit sugary snacks like candy, dried fruit snacks and sticky baked goods. These types of food can cause tooth decay. Cheese please! Eating a piece of cheese after a meal or snack may actually protect teeth against cavities. Try packing a few pieces of cheese in your child’s lunch bag. Fruit juices should be limited as they are high in natural sugars – try diluting your children's fruit juice with water or encourage them to choose a piece of fruit to eat instead. Avoid fruit drinks and pop because they are high in sugar.

For information about Dental and Oral Health Services call Toronto Health Connection at 416-338-7600 or www.toronto.ca/health.

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Take Action Towards a Healthy School Teacher Resource Discussion about Hygiene – 10 minutes Introduction What are some of the body changes that happen during puberty that would make you want to change your hygiene practices? Answers might include: sweat glands and oil glands are more productive Why is it important to have good hygiene? By taking care of our bodies through proper hygiene, we are more likely to stay healthy and feel good about ourselves. Good hygiene can also help us better cope with the changes that occur in puberty.

What are some ways that girls and boys can practice good hygiene? Oral Hygiene: How can we take care of our teeth and gums? Brush our teeth at least two times a day. Floss our teeth once a day – it is best to floss before going to bed. Hygiene for the Body: What happens to our skin during puberty? As hormone levels increase, the oil glands (on the face, shoulders, chest and back) become more active. If the pores are blocked, blackheads may result. When bacteria get into pores, it can cause infections that produce pimples.

Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel

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Personal Hygiene What can you do? Washing your face with soap and water, with a face cloth a few times a day, can help remove oils from the skin and keep your pores clean. Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily as it helps to clear up pimples from your shoulders, chest and back. Sometimes, washing does not help acne problems. In these cases, you should talk to a parent, teacher, or consult a doctor. Why does body odour occur during puberty? At puberty, sweat glands start to produce more secretions. When these secretions are exposed to air moisture, they produce odours. What can you do? Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily with soap and water. Pay particular attention to underarms and the pubic area to decrease unpleasant odours. Dry your skin well after you shower or bathe. If you have oily hair, wash it daily. If you have dry, frizzy or coarse hair, wash it less often. You might also want to talk to your parents about using an antiperspirant or a deodorant. Finally, be sure to wear clean clothes (including socks and underwear) every day.

Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel

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Personal Hygiene

Handout

When you take care of your body, through good personal hygiene, you are helping yourself to stay healthy and to enhance your self-esteem.

What happens to my skin during puberty? As hormone levels increase, the oil glands (on the face, shoulders, chest and back) become more active. If the pores are blocked, blackheads may result. When bacteria get into pores, it can cause infections that produce pimples.

What can you do? Washing your face with soap and water, with a face cloth a few times a day, can help remove oils from the skin and keep your pores clean. Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily as it helps to clear up pimples from your shoulders, chest and back. Sometimes, washing does not help acne problems. In these cases, you should talk to a parent, teacher, or consult a doctor.

Why does body odour occur during puberty? At puberty, sweat glands start to produce more secretions. When these secretions are exposed to air moisture, they produce odours.

What can you do? Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily with soap and water. Pay particular attention to underarms and the pubic area to decrease unpleasant odours. Dry your skin well after you shower or bathe. If you have oily hair, wash it daily. If you have dry, frizzy or coarse hair, wash it less often. You might also want to talk to your parents about using antiperspirant or deodorant. Finally, be sure to wear clean clothes (including socks and underwear) every day. Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel

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Personal Hygiene

Unscramble the words below Hint:

Answer:

PSAO

You use this to get clean

_______________________

TLEHAYH

Bathing regularly can keep you

_______________________

DOURO

Sweat can produce this

_______________________

LSFOS

Remember to do this at least once daily

_______________________

DTENOADOR

Use this before physical activity

_______________________

MGSER

These can make you sick

_______________________

LEANEM

The hardest substance in the body

_______________________

DCNAY

This type of treat will cause cavities

_______________________

Create your own: __________________

__________________________________

__________________________

__________________

__________________________________

__________________________

__________________

__________________________________

__________________________

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Personal Hygiene

Answer Sheet Hint:

Answer:

PSAO

You use this to get clean

TLEHAYH

Bathing regularly can keep you

DOURO

Sweat can produce this

ODOUR

LSFOS

Remember to do this at least once daily

FLOSS

DTENOADOR

Use this before physical activity

MGSER

These can make you sick

GERMS

LEANEM

The hardest substance in the body

ENAMEL

DCNAY

This type of treat will cause cavities

CANDY

SOAP HEALTHY

DEODORANT

Create your own: __________________

__________________________________

__________________________

__________________

__________________________________

__________________________

__________________

__________________________________

__________________________

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Personal Hygiene

TCDSB Approved

Take Action Towards a Healthy School Teacher Resource - Activity Two: Hip to Hygiene Quiz – 10 minutes

If time allows, have the students fill out the Hip to Hygiene Quiz. They could complete the quiz individually or in groups. Take a few minutes to review the answers and to address any questions your students may have. Answers to the Hip to Hygiene Quiz: 1. TRUE – to get rid of dirt and oil on the face, wash your face gently twice a day as it helps prevent clogged pores that can lead to acne.

6. FALSE – Food doesn't cause acne – acne is caused by excess oil on the skin which is caused by hormones not food.

2. TRUE – Tobacco products will stain your teeth and can lead to gum disease or cancer. Pop contains tooth-damaging acids which can damage your enamel and lead to more stains.

7. TRUE – Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended to bathe/shower daily with soap and water. Pay particular attention to underarms and the pubic area to decrease unpleasant odours. Dry your skin well after you shower or bathe.

3. FALSE – Excess sun exposure can cause the outer layer of the skin to thicken, which may result in closed pores creating more acne.

8. TRUE – Brush teeth and tongue at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel which keeps your teeth strong.

4. TRUE – Flossing helps remove food particles from between your teeth that your toothbrush can't reach – this helps remove bacteria that causes bad breath.

9. TRUE – Although women tend to have more sweat glands than men, men tend to have more active sweat glands, therefore they sweat more.

5. FALSE – Deodorants can be used prior to physical activity to prevent odour. Antiperspirants can be used prior to physical activity to prevent sweating.

10. FALSE – Hard scrubbing can make acne worse. It is recommended to wash face gently with soap and water.

Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel

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Personal Hygiene

TCDSB Approved

Handout

TRUE 1.

Washing your face every day can help control pimples.

2.

Tobacco and pop (soft drinks) stain teeth.

3.

Getting a lot of sun is good for acne.

4.

Flossing your teeth every day removes food between teeth that can cause bad breath.

5.

You should put on deodorant or antiperspirant after the gym.

6.

Eating chocolate and greasy foods will cause pimples.

7.

The best way to stay clean during puberty is to wash your body regularly.

8.

Using fluoride toothpaste will help fight tooth decay and cavities.

9.

Males tend to sweat more than females.

10.

If you scrub your face very hard, you can eliminate blemishes.

FALSE

Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel

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Personal Hygiene

TCDSB Approved

Handout

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ACNE CHANGES OILY SHAMPOO SWEAT ACTIVE CLEAN

HEALTHY ORAL SHOWER TEETH BATHE CLOTHES HYGIENE

PERSONAL SKIN UNDERARM BODY DENTAL MOUTH PIMPLE

SMELL WASH BRUSH DEODORANT GUMS NAILS SMILE

WATER CARE FACE HAIR ODOUR PUBERTY SOAP

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Personal Hygiene

TCDSB Approved

Answer Sheet

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ACNE CHANGES OILY SHAMPOO SWEAT ACTIVE CLEAN

HEALTHY ORAL SHOWER TEETH BATHE CLOTHES HYGIENE

PERSONAL SKIN UNDERARM BODY DENTAL MOUTH PIMPLE

SMELL WASH BRUSH DEODORANT GUMS NAILS SMILE

WATER CARE FACE HAIR ODOUR PUBERTY SOAP

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Personal Hygiene

TCDSB Approved

Colouring Sheet

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Personal Hygiene

TTake ake A ction TTowards owards a H ealthy SSchool ch o o l Action Healthy A ppendix Appendix A. Healthy Schools Approach – Personal Hygiene

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Personal Hygiene

Take Action Towards a Healthy School INSTRUCTION/ CURRICULUM

HEALTHY PHYSICAL

Classroom Activities: See "Activities and Handouts" for curriculum support ideas related to both personal and oral hygiene

Students: ENVIRONMENT Involve students and create an information bulletin board Remind students to bring their gym clothes home to be washed regularly Ask students to create posters with personal hygiene messages – post and rotate posters in the school Encourage students to bring wash cloths or body wipes to use at school after being physically active Encourage students to talk to their parents about bringing deodorant or antiperspirant to school to use before being physically active Staff & Administration: Provide students with a safe area where they can discuss personal hygiene issues with a designated staff member Organize a resource section in the library with a range of books and materials about oral hygiene and personal hygiene Parents: Encourage parents to send children to school with a change of clothing when they are participating in sporting events or gym class

School Staff: See “Special Considerations for Teachers” - tips on how to discuss sensitive issues such as body odour with students and their families See “Additional Resources” for more information and/or resources that schools can use regarding personal hygiene OPHEA Health and Physical Education Curriculum Supports: “Always Changing” resources – addresses the transition between childhood and adolescence, and the beginning stages of puberty www.ophea.net

Grade 3 - Personal Health and Safety: Making Healthy Choices Units 4 and 5 – Oral Health

http://hpe.ophea.net/

SUPPORTIVE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

School Community Initiatives: Wellness Committees – plan activities related to personal hygiene (e.g. a school wide awareness campaign) See PA Announcements communicate good personal hygiene messages See Parent Newsletter Inserts address oral hygiene, body odour, puberty changes, acne and skin care Parent-Teacher Interviews Discuss the social implications for students related to personal hygiene practices with parents (e.g. students may teased or even bullied) – personal hygiene products such as shampoo, soap and deodorant may be displayed School Assemblies - Involve parents and students to plan activities (e.g. presentations, skits, plays) throughout the year to address personal hygiene issues – themes may include “What is acne?...Steps to better skin” or “Oral Hygiene – How to Take Care of your Mouth” Provide students with opportunities to brush &/or floss teeth after lunch

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Toronto Public Health: Liaison Public Health Nurse Invite your liaison PHN to your School Wellness Committee to discuss personal hygiene Sexual Health Educator - provides information to staff and students related to puberty changes Dental Services - Free dental care for eligible children, high school students and seniors www.toronto.ca/health/dental/index.htm

Other Community Partners: Canadian Dental Association www.cda-adc.ca/*

“Brushamania”*

www.brushamania.ca/school_info.html

“SmileCity”*

www.smilecity.ca

*Please see “Additional Resources” for more detail

March 2011