Discussing Hygiene with Middle Schoolers

schooldistrictnurse · Feb 11, 2011

Sometimes when you dance around the issue the kids don't even understand what you're trying to say. I think sometimes when I've taken the "we all need to....." approach, they don't realize I'm really saying "you need to....." So if you have a confidential setting, I'd come right out and say what you need to say. Then give the student an "out" to give to his/her friends to save face--you wanted to ask a question about his shots or do a vision test or anything else you can think of.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2011

What about addressing this in an assembly with the whole class? That way no one is singled out and hopefully the problem will correct itself. If not, you can speak to the student privately if needed.

Supernrse01, BSN · Feb 14, 2011

I do a newsletter for my 3rd-5th graders. They get a new issue once every 2 months. Before Christmas, I did a "Special Edition" newsletter for my 5th graders that addressed things like bathing, deodorant, brushing teeth, etc... It was well received and the kids took note... even had some commenting to their teachers that they thought maybe some of the "stuff" was about them :)

Flare, ASN, BSN · Feb 14, 2011

Thanks for the suggestions.

pvtschoolnurse · Feb 14, 2011

I do group teaching with the 5th and 6th graders. If a teacher informs me about a particular student, I talk to the vice-principal for permission to follow-up, then I start with e-mailing the parents to let them know that a teacher has made this observation.

luvapug · Mar 3, 2011

Our school system does the classroom talks too which helps but sometimes there's a particular kid...Honestly I just wish the teacher would say something to the kid because every time they send a kid down the kid feels like they are in trouble, they get embarrassed the teacher felt like it was a big enough problem she/he had to tell someone else about it, etc. I try to be matter-of-fact and start by asking questions: do you have running water, do you have a washer/dryer, do you take a bath every night, do you wear clean clothes to school every day, do you wear deodorant (if old enough) and if no to any of these answers take it from there and tell the student the teacher is concerned because she notices you don't smell good and doesn't want other kids to make fun of you for it so I'm asking these questions to figure out what might be the cause and how to solve the problem. I also make sure I tell them they didn't do anything wrong and they aren't in trouble before I even start asking them anything. That seems to work well for me anyway!

fantasia2400 · Mar 8, 2011

I do a newsletter for my 3rd-5th graders. They get a new issue once every 2 months. Before Christmas, I did a "Special Edition" newsletter for my 5th graders that addressed things like bathing, deodorant, brushing teeth, etc... It was well received and the kids took note... even had some commenting to their teachers that they thought maybe some of the "stuff" was about them :)

Would you be willing to pass along that newsletter that you made on hygiene? I will be talking with the 3rd graders and would love to have a starting reference point. Thanks so much!

[email protected]

Melissa

Melben · Mar 16, 2011

We do a program about puberty, which includes the reasons behind the body odour and the need for special attention to personal hygeine when signs of puberty start. The program is a fun way to deal issues related to puberty. Often the class teachers are relieved that the topic is discussed by someone else. We were also fortunate enough to have an organisation supply toiletries for the classes so we could demonstrate the use of things like deodorants, shampoos etc.

It can be a worrying issue but it can be dealt with in a sensitive and informative way without being embarrassing to anyone.

samirish · Mar 31, 2011

Our school system does the classroom talks too which helps but sometimes there's a particular kid...Honestly I just wish the teacher would say something to the kid because every time they send a kid down the kid feels like they are in trouble, they get embarrassed the teacher felt like it was a big enough problem she/he had to tell someone else about it, etc. I try to be matter-of-fact and start by asking questions: do you have running water, do you have a washer/dryer, do you take a bath every night, do you wear clean clothes to school every day, do you wear deodorant (if old enough) and if no to any of these answers take it from there and tell the student the teacher is concerned because she notices you don't smell good and doesn't want other kids to make fun of you for it so I'm asking these questions to figure out what might be the cause and how to solve the problem. I also make sure I tell them they didn't do anything wrong and they aren't in trouble before I even start asking them anything. That seems to work well for me anyway!

I was just thinking of a couple of episodes of the A&E show "Hoarders" that I saw. The children that have to endure and live in the filthy homes say that they were teased terribly by their peers because of how bad they smelled (through no fault of their own)....their clothes and everything just stunk. (truly heartbreaking)

Just something I thought I would point out as it may be something good to keep in mind.

caregiver1977 · Apr 13, 2011

I think things like this should be discussed in the classroom setting first, then if a student doesn't show improvement, then discuss it with them in private. Give them chance to change first. I would have been MORTIFIED to the point of not wanting to go back to school at all if the nurse had of called me to the office for this, even if it was discussed in private. I would have figured somebody was talking behind my back about how I smelled. But then again I have always been sensitive.

Kudos that you want to do something because some students just don't get it!!!

Allie911 · Apr 18, 2011

I had a situation this year where the student started smelling like BM. I had never met the student and wasn't sure how to approach him without hurting his feelings. I called his Father before talking with him and learned that the student recently had started having accidents, both dad and student were not sure what was going on. I referred the student to be seen by his PCP where they learned he had encopresis, I was so glad I didn't just talk to the student. There was a lot more going on than just being stinky. Many times the parents need to be involved, if the kids stink hopefully their parents will help remedy the problem!