| Dental hygiene is incredibly important, as we all know. | | | | Take some construction paper and perhaps a |
| There is nothing more dazzling on the human body | | | | scrapbook and make a story about dental care to |
| than a gorgeous set of pearly whites. If you want your | | | | show your children. Use basic shapes and lots of color |
| kids to have these pearly whites, though, you will need | | | | to keep your kids interest, and tell the story in an |
| to get them on the right track as far as dental hygiene | | | | engaging manner while encouraging them to |
| is concerned as early as possible. While you obviously | | | | participate. For example, you can make the main |
| cannot teach an infant or toddler proper hygiene, you | | | | character a tooth and have him travel with his friends |
| can actually begin teaching them these valuable | | | | (a toothbrush, floss, etc.). |
| concepts during preschool. Here are a few preschool | | | | Charades |
| activities you can do for children to teach them about | | | | Gather the preschool group around and tell them that |
| dental care. | | | | they are going to learn about teeth. Then, do charades |
| Match 'Em Up | | | | that represent the steps of brushing the teeth. You |
| Take construction paper and cut out basic shapes | | | | can start off by saying something like, "Everyone point |
| representing dental care, such as a tooth, a toothbrush, | | | | to their teeth!" They will then point to their teeth. Then, |
| a sparkle (basically a star design), and any other object | | | | pretend you are picking up a toothbrush and get them |
| you may want to include. Then, put the items in a pile | | | | to do the same. Then, apply toothpaste and "brush" |
| and let your children pick out the proper items and put | | | | your teeth. They will follow along and get into the |
| them in the proper order. For example, you can have a | | | | process (as well as stay entertained throughout). |
| paper tube of toothpaste that they would pick and | | | | These are just a few examples of activities you can |
| "use" on the toothbrush. They can then brush the tooth | | | | use to teach your preschool kids about dental care. |
| with the toothbrush. When they are finished, | | | | The limit is really on your own imagination. Just know |
| congratulate them, tell them that the tooth is "clean", | | | | that preschool children, on a whole, are old enough to |
| and put the sparkle on it to show them. This is a good | | | | start learning about dental care and the responsibility |
| hands-on activity to introduce them to dental care. | | | | that comes with it, even if they may not be old enough |
| Write a Story | | | | to do it on their own. Good luck! |