toothbrush

@lornasis (121)
Philippines
December 9, 2007 7:10pm CST
My kid is four years old. How do you "train" kids to brush their teeth after every meal?
2 people like this
4 responses
MommaOfAllTrades
@MommaOfAllTrades (969)
• Canada
12 Dec 07
The best way to train a child is to show them. After every meal, take a trip to the bathroom together and make it fun. If you are not able to be with her at every meal, then ask the responsible adult to follow through on this routine. Before starting this new adventure I would also highly recommend doing a small study with her on teeth and proper hygiene. If she understands the importance, it will make more sense to continue this on her own without an adult pressing her.
1 person likes this
lornasis
@lornasis (121)
• Philippines
13 Dec 07
Wow! yes, I forgot our short reading sessions a year ago. Since we moved to this new apartment and opened a small shop, my life has turned upside down. We are now missing out on so many things - reading at night, playing in the bathroom, or even "swimming" in the portable, inflatable pool, or playing basketball next to the refrigerator where we used to have a goal or basket stuck. sigh! thanks for reminding me... well.. at least I got the one about barney singing about brushing the teeth. We just need to "actualize" this.
1 person likes this
bstarun2007
@bstarun2007 (72)
•
12 Dec 07
Daily my son wake up then he says yesterday i brused i not coming to brush my teeth .Then his father picked & brush the teeth he is so smooth.
1 person likes this
lornasis
@lornasis (121)
• Philippines
13 Dec 07
hahaha! My daughter is just like that! She says I brushed already yesterday. Sometimes, she says she has just brushed when in fact she hasn't. Well, kids do everything to avoid things they are not too happy to do! cheers!
ssh123
@ssh123 (31073)
• India
10 Dec 07
At the time of sleeping, tell her bedtime stories as to what happens if one does not brush the teeth everyday. Next day morning you brush your teeth in front of her. Buy a baby brush and put good attractive paste and ensure she does not gulp the fluoride which causes stomach pain more so for children. If you repeat this for couple of days, they will pick up.
1 person likes this
lornasis
@lornasis (121)
• Philippines
13 Dec 07
Thanks, ssh123... yup, O forgot already that I am missing out on the bedtime stories that I used to tell her before bedtime. Time to revive with new themes like brushing the teeth, combing hair and putting pins in it, whatever. Thanks!
ravinskye
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
10 Dec 07
Well, my kids have been brushing their teeth since they were old enough to hold a tooth brush. I would say just make it a routine and lead by example. If you go brush your teeth after every meal then your child will see it and want to do it too.
1 person likes this
lornasis
@lornasis (121)
• Philippines
10 Dec 07
Thank you, I agree that setting an example is best... Hmm... hope I can be home most of the time.