Discussing Hygiene with Middle Schoolers

[Flare]

Any advice on how to discuss with my middle schoolers the fact that some of them need to bathe more? Teachers have come in making complaints and want me to talk to them - which i have no problem with, but how to bring it up when a student is sent to my office for an unknown reason (from their perspective). I know this is a very sensitive age so i need to choose my words carefully.

Aslo - yuck - dirty hair/ ears and tympanic thermomertry!! Those kids i'll sometimes just bluntly ask when the last time they washed their hair was... do you think a similar approach - cut and dry - is appropriate? Or do i need to break out the kid glocves here?

[sp.ed.nurse]

Hi! The kids do tend to become a little more stinky this time of year in Missouri! Fortunately all of my students take p.e., so I spoke to the students as a group & forewarned them that if I continue to receive reports they are malodorous that I will speak with them individually & if necessary the principal and I will sit down with them and their parents to discuss why this is an issue. This helped alot! I was very direct and told them I have been getting reports that the students are stinking & they are in middle school- they have been taught hygiene for many years- use their knowledge! I also took the opportunity to talk to them about daily exercise, healthy eating & sleeping habits as well! Oh & don't forget to tell them that their ever-loving hoodies need to be laundered too!

Good luck!!

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I wanted to let you know that I decided to have a group talk with a class of mostly offenders. I didn't have enough time to find any good material for a handout for the students but will continue to look. In the mean time, i thought i'd share with you the lesson plan I whipped out last week right before the class. Always good to have a road map.

hygiene MS lesson plan.doc

[shellfrmmo, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, LPN, LVN, RN]

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 :)

This is a great idea!!! Can you please send me one- [email protected]