Take Action Towards a Healthy School Teacher Resource - Activity One: Discussion about Hygiene 10 minutes Introduction What are some of the body changes that happen during puberty that would make you want to change your hygiene practices? Answers might include: sweat glands and oil glands are more productive Why is it important to have good hygiene? By taking care of our bodies through proper hygiene, we are more likely to stay healthy and feel good about ourselves. Good hygiene can also help us better cope with the changes that occur in puberty. What are some ways that girls and boys can practice good hygiene? Oral Hygiene: How can we take care of our teeth and gums? Brush our teeth at least two times a day. Floss our teeth once a day it is best to floss before going to bed. Hygiene for the Body: What happens to our skin during puberty? As hormone levels increase, the oil glands (on the face, shoulders, chest and back) become more active. If the pores are blocked, blackheads may result. When bacteria get into pores, it can cause infections that produce pimples. 1 of 2
What can you do? Washing your face with soap and water, with a face cloth a few times a day, can help remove oils from the skin and keep your pores clean. Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily as it helps to clear up pimples from your shoulders, chest and back. Sometimes, washing does not help acne problems. In these cases, you should talk to a parent, teacher, or consult a doctor. Why does body odour occur during puberty? At puberty, sweat glands start to produce more secretions. When these secretions are exposed to air moisture, they produce odours. What can you do? Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily with soap and water. Pay particular attention to underarms and the pubic area to decrease unpleasant odours. Dry your skin well after you shower or bathe. If you have oily hair, wash it daily. If you have dry, frizzy or coarse hair, wash it less often. You might also want to talk to your parents about using an antiperspirant or a deodorant. Finally, be sure to wear clean clothes (including socks and underwear) every day. 2 of 2
Handout When you take care of your body, through good personal hygiene, you are helping yourself to stay healthy and to enhance your self-esteem. What happens to my skin during puberty? As hormone levels increase, the oil glands (on the face, shoulders, chest and back) become more active. If the pores are blocked, blackheads may result. When bacteria get into pores, it can cause infections that produce pimples. What can you do? Washing your face with soap and water, with a face cloth a few times a day, can help remove oils from the skin and keep your pores clean. Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily as it helps to clear up pimples from your shoulders, chest and back. Sometimes, washing does not help acne problems. In these cases, you should talk to a parent, teacher, or consult a doctor. Why does body odour occur during puberty? At puberty, sweat glands start to produce more secretions. When these secretions are exposed to air moisture, they produce odours. What can you do? Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily with soap and water. Pay particular attention to underarms and the pubic area to decrease unpleasant odours. Dry your skin well after you shower or bathe. If you have oily hair, wash it daily. If you have dry, frizzy or coarse hair, wash it less often. You might also want to talk to your parents about using antiperspirant or deodorant. Finally, be sure to wear clean clothes (including socks and underwear) every day.
Take Action Towards a Healthy School Teacher Resource - Activity Two: Hip to Hygiene Quiz 10 minutes If time allows, have the students fill out the Hip to Hygiene Quiz. They could complete the quiz individually or in groups. Take a few minutes to review the answers and to address any questions your students may have. Answers to the Hip to Hygiene Quiz: 1. TRUE to get rid of dirt and oil on the face, wash your face gently twice a day as it helps prevent clogged pores that can lead to acne. 6. FALSE Food doesn't cause acne acne is caused by excess oil on the skin which is caused by hormones not food. 2. TRUE Tobacco products will stain your teeth and can lead to gum disease or cancer. Pop contains tooth-damaging acids which can damage your enamel and lead to more stains. 7. TRUE Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended to bathe/shower daily with soap and water. Pay particular attention to underarms and the pubic area to decrease unpleasant odours. Dry your skin well after you shower or bathe. 3. FALSE Excess sun exposure can cause the outer layer of the skin to thicken, which may result in closed pores creating more acne. 8. TRUE Brush teeth and tongue at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel which keeps your teeth strong. 4. TRUE Flossing helps remove food particles from between your teeth that your toothbrush can't reach this helps remove bacteria that causes bad breath. 9. TRUE Although women tend to have more sweat glands than men, men tend to have more active sweat glands, therefore they sweat more. 5. FALSE Deodorants can be used prior to physical activity to prevent odour. Antiperspirants can be used prior to physical activity to prevent sweating. 10. FALSE Hard scrubbing can make acne worse. It is recommended to wash face gently with soap and water.
Handout TRUE FALSE 1. Washing your face every day can help control pimples. 2. Tobacco and pop (soft drinks) stain teeth. 3. Getting a lot of sun is good for acne. 4. Flossing your teeth every day removes food between teeth that can cause bad breath. 5. You should put on deodorant or antiperspirant after the gym. 6. Eating chocolate and greasy foods will cause pimples. 7. The best way to stay clean during puberty is to wash your body regularly. 8. Using fluoride toothpaste will help fight tooth decay and cavities. 9. Males tend to sweat more than females. 10. If you scrub your face very hard, you can eliminate blemishes.
Handout R G B C E M N T O L E P W T T U A C N E R R U O D O A R H M C E C L E A N A I L S I Y S T O H I T Y D O B B H A T K I C A M A E E W L S O H R I V S N S W A R T A E W S E N E I G Y H E A L T H Y U B R L D E O D O R A N T L R U H P M S R S Y M N E O I B P S M S H A M P O O D L O E A O I R O L E T U S E C A F O L P R W W L T T R Y E D E S H T E E T L H H E H T A B A U C A R E B Y E P E A S E ACNE CHANGES OILY SHAMPOO SWEAT ACTIVE CLEAN HEALTHY ORAL SHOWER TEETH BATHE CLOTHES HYGIENE PERSONAL SKIN UNDERARM BODY DENTAL MOUTH PIMPLE SMELL WASH BRUSH DEODORANT GUMS NAILS SMILE WATER CARE FACE HAIR ODOUR PUBERTY SOAP
Answer Sheet R G B C E M N T O L E P W T T U A C N E R R U O D O A R H M C E C L E A N A I L S I Y S T O H I T Y D O B B H A T K I C A M A E E W L S O H R I V S N S W A R T A E W S E N E I G Y H E A L T H Y U B R L D E O D O R A N T L R U H P M S R S Y M N E O I B P S M S H A M P O O D L O E A O I R O L E T U S E C A F O L P R W W L T T R Y E D E S H T E E T L H H E H T A B A U C A R E B Y E P E A S E ACNE CHANGES OILY SHAMPOO SWEAT ACTIVE CLEAN HEALTHY ORAL SHOWER TEETH BATHE CLOTHES HYGIENE PERSONAL SKIN UNDERARM BODY DENTAL MOUTH PIMPLE SMELL WASH BRUSH DEODORANT GUMS NAILS SMILE WATER CARE FACE HAIR ODOUR PUBERTY SOAP
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