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How to Establish Healthy Brushing Habits for your childrenExpert Loving advice from Dr. GrandPa Ken
Ah yes... Getting a child to do anything on a regular basis, brushing their teeth, cleaning up their room, taking out the trash, you know what I mean, is difficult even on a GOOD DAY!
Child-Dentistry Advisor would like to help you learn about helpful ways in which you can teach your child to establish desirable habits. I won’t say it will be easy, but at least you will have a PLAN. Being CONSISTENT is the key word.
OK … here we go.
What follows is a plan for making tooth brushing a regular part of your child’s day. This plan can work for establishing other habits as well. Just do not try to work on too many things at one time. Once you have established tooth brushing as a regular part of their day, wait several weeks before starting on the next habit.
Setting up healthy brushing goals for your child
First, set up a simple set of goals. As stated previously what is chosen will depend on how old and mature your child is. When your son/daughter has been successful in attaining the first goal, move on to the next. Each child needs to progress through three stages:
As your child is successful with the first learning goal, the next goal can be established. As your son/daughter brushes each time, they get to mark the chart with a colored pencil, star, whatever works for them.
The calendar also works as a reward and reinforcement system for children. You may want to establish other rewards as they are establishing a new habit. A reward is not a BRIBE, it is an important tool to reinforce learning. A reward can be WORDS of PRAISE, a SPECIAL TREAT, or a small amount of MONEY to be saved for a special purchase!
For the ALL STAR PARENT to be successful in this program you need to do THREE THINGS:
Good Luck! It will work!
Imagine your child cavity free for a lifetime-guaranteed !
How would you like to have your child growing up and loving to go to their dentist?
The Youth Tooth Guide is an easy to read and understand guide book for parents and children which cover every issue relating to dental health, tooth development, hygiene and prevention and more.
Click here for more information on the Youth Tooth Guide.
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Remember some of this material will have to be adapted to your child’s age and skill level. Establishing any new habit is much more successful when you and your child can work on the new habit (Tooth brushing in this case) in steps, when there is some FUN involved, and when there is praise and encouragement along the way!
It is important to let your child mark the calendar. Your child will be more motivated to brush if they get the fun of marking the calendar.
