The human body is a magnet for germs. All kinds of creepy crawlies feed off us and live parasitically on and in us. Children, in all their adventurous busyness, are Disney World to germs and good hygiene is critical to assist in staving off illness, disease and even just allergy attacks.

So how do we teach them to look after their hygiene without having to constantly follow them around, do it for them and remind them?

1. Making it fun - makes them want to do it.
2. Making it routine - they do it without even thinking about it.

Getting the aim right:

• Boys: Boys will now discover that their little pocket tool just keeps on getting more and more fun. They can make patterns on the back of the toilet and rivers on the floor amonst other hilarious pursuits when they wee-wee. As cute as this fascination may seem at first, the cuteness won't last when the stink starts setting in. Teach them from the start, and repeat the first few times, that they must look into the toilet bowl while they urinate. Tell them they must try and see how full they can make the toilet to encourage them to keep on target. When they have finished, they need to shake gently before putting the little machine away. It's not such a good idea to encourage dabbing with toilet paper as this causes unnecessary worry and confusion when they are at school or out-and-about and there are only urinals available for use.
• Girls: Girls of course don't really have to overthink things here. Just a gentle dab when it's all done and that's that for them.

Keeping it clean:

The most difficult toilet event for children to deal with, of course, is the poo. It's a good idea to not make a big deal of this otherwise it gets a bit overdramatized and they worry. If they are reluctant to clean themselves up after a poo, perhaps try suggesting that they give three wipes and you will go and check to see it's all clean after they've done that. Don't stand around and watch them while they do it! Would you like to be watched? Go a short distance away and tell them to call you when they are ready. The first few times, though, explain what you are doing when you do it for them so that they can build up their confidence and feel that they know what they need to do.

Verbalize your actions: Explain to them as you do it how you take a certain amount of toilet paper in your hand. Tell them how you reach behind them and then wipe from the front to the back! It is important to stress this and ensure that they understand what "front to back" means. Girls are very susceptible to thrush - even at a young age. Tell them to do three wipes and then look to see if all is clean and whether they need to wipe again or not. This negates the worry of not cleaning thoroughly enough.

So now you've done the demos, they are starting to clean themselves up (with or without you checking for them) but what is the most important part of the whole routine?

The wash up:

Keep a nail brush and a plug next to the tap of the basin. I use a pump-action soap bottle for liquid soap as this makes it all the more fun. I also try to buy liquid soap in bright colors to attract them to the task. If it's fun, they won't forget to do it!

Teach them to put in the plug and fill the basin to around halfway with cold water - warm water would be better but you don't want them touching the hot tap on their own for now. Teach them to use the nail brush for every wash. Again, this is all part of the fun. Children are very tactile and love squishing the soap in between their fingers making bubbles and funny noises. Then it's pulling the plug and drying hands on a hand towel that is within easy reach.

Making it happen every time:

You're done - almost. The most important part of all of this is ROUTINE. Nothing works consistently for children unless it becomes a routine. And how do you create the routine? With unashamed nagging. To begin with, you will have to supervise bathroom visits to make sure it's done properly. As soon as you see them go to the hand basin to wash hands on their own, withour your prompting, you know the routine has pretty much set it and supervision is probably no longer necessary. But never let up on the routine. Whether you're feeling sick, or in a rush to go somewhere, or have had a heavy day and just couldn't be bothered...never let up on encouraging the routine and making sure it happens.

Good bathroom habits are an essential tool that not only helps to keep your children healthy, but will give them confidence when they are away from home without you.