Activity: Taking Care of My Body through Good Hygiene

Understand how we can show respect for our bodies by practicing good hygiene.

Bring in two similar items, such as toys or items of clothing—one that is clean and in good repair, and a second that is dirty, torn, or broken. Ask the children to imagine the person who owned those things. Which item do you think they cared more about? How can you tell?

Explain that our bodies are a gift from our Heavenly Father. We can show Heavenly Father that we are grateful for our bodies by taking good care of them. Good hygiene is an important way we can take care of our bodies.

Invite the children to list good hygiene habits, such as washing hands, brushing teeth and hair, bathing regularly, using tissues or a handkerchief, and so forth. Consider playing one of the following games to help identify good hygiene practices.

• Invite a child to think of a healthy hygiene practice but not say it out loud. Invite the other children to ask “yes” or “no” questions to try and guess what it is. After each correct guess, have the children say why that hygiene practice is important. The person who guessed correctly chooses another hygiene practice to continue the game. Everyone takes a turn.
• Write good hygiene practices on separate cards or pieces of paper. Put the cards in a container. Divide the group into two or more teams. Each team takes a turn drawing a card and acting out the hygiene practice on the card. The others try to guess the practice. After each successful guess, discuss why the hygiene practice is important.

Please adapt activities as necessary to ensure all individuals are able to participate, belong, and contribute.

• If you have access to a sink and sufficient supplies, demonstrate how to brush and floss teeth properly, and allow the children to practice.
• Service idea: Gather items for hygiene kits, such as washcloths, small bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, and so forth. Assemble the kits in heavy-duty plastic bags, and then donate the kits to those in need.

Encourage children to talk about how what they are learning can help them and others grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity and should last just a few minutes. You could ask questions like the following:

• How can using good hygiene show Heavenly Father we are grateful for our bodies?
• Is there something you could start or stop doing to take better care of your body?

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• My Body Is a Temple
• Taking Care of My Body through Physical Activity
• Learning to Cook
• Caring for Our Bodies
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