As students grow older, it’s essential that they learn about personal hygiene and the importance of keeping certain habits private. By understanding what actions should be kept private, students can maintain a healthy and respectful environment for themselves and their peers. This blog post will discuss the skills required to teach middle school students about personal hygiene and private habits, as well as provide an easy-to-implement activity and discussion questions for educators.
Introduction
Personal hygiene refers to the actions we take to keep our bodies clean and healthy. As children transition into adolescence, they may experience new physical changes, such as the development of pimples or scabs. While it’s natural for them to want to pick at these blemishes, doing so in public can make others uncomfortable or even grossed out. Teaching middle school students about the importance of keeping certain personal hygiene habits private can help them become more self-aware and respectful of others’ feelings.
No-Prep Activity: Public or Private?
This simple activity requires no preparation or materials and helps students understand the difference between public and private actions related to personal hygiene. Have students form a circle, and take turns sharing a personal hygiene habit. After each student shares, the rest of the group will decide whether the habit should be kept private or can be done in public. This activity encourages students to think critically about their own habits and the impact they may have on others.
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important to keep certain personal hygiene habits private?
- How can maintaining good personal hygiene habits contribute to a positive learning environment?
- What are some examples of personal hygiene habits that should be kept private, and why?
- How can you remind yourself to practice good personal hygiene and keep certain habits private?
- How might you respectfully address a peer who is engaging in a personal hygiene habit that should be kept private in a public setting?
Related Skills
Teaching personal hygiene and the importance of keeping certain habits private is just one aspect of helping middle school students develop crucial social-emotional skills. Other relevant skills include:
- Self-awareness: Understanding one’s own emotions, strengths, and limitations.
- Respecting personal boundaries: Recognizing and respecting the personal space and boundaries of others.
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Effective communication: Clearly expressing thoughts and feelings while also listening to and understanding others.
Next Steps
By incorporating lessons on personal hygiene and private habits into your curriculum, you can help middle school students develop a strong foundation in social-emotional learning. To explore more resources and activities related to this topic and others, sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These materials will provide you with valuable tools to support your students’ development and create a positive learning environment for all.
