Talking to young people about hygiene is tricky. It's a topic that most people try to avoid discussing at all, or touch on briefly if they have to. But hygiene is important for finding and keeping work, and managing hygiene is a vital life skill.
Body odour
Let's face it, if a young person smells bad when they come to work, their boss is not going to be very impressed. Poor body odour can come from several causes - not changing clothes each day, not changing underwear, not using deodorant, or not taking a shower. Teach a young person how to manage body odour, and what to look for that might be a hint that their personal hygiene needs attention.
Dental hygiene
Dental hygiene can make a significant difference to a conversation, so it's important to teach young people about the importance of regular tooth brushing and dental care. Clean teeth which are well cared for mean that the young person's breath smells lovely and fresh, rather than stale and off putting. Check that they have their own tooth brush and paste and that they know how to brush well in the morning and evening each day.
Footwear
Shoes and socks can be a common problem for young people. Shoes which have not been aired out can smell offensive. Socks which do not make it to the washing machine are likely to be another cause of bad smells that see others in the nearby vicinity moving to the closes window. Encourage daily changes of socks and airing of footwear. Sometimes having some time each day where feet are bare can be a handy way of making sure the socks come off and hopefully make it to the laundry, and that the shoes have some time to breathe a little!
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