Case
Hygiene

How does one approach hygiene issues such as body oder in the classroom without making kids feel uncomfortable and embarrassed?

Solution #1
Top Solution
I would address the student directly, if you have a relationship with them where you feel you can speak openly about those topics. I would politely mention the issue at the end of the day, when the student can go home and solve the problem. This issue shouldn't be discussed mid-day when no solutions are available. The student will just get anxious. But having a one-on-one where you're honest and kind could be helpful. I would be transparent and mention a time in my life where I had the same issues. We have all been there! If you feel uncomfortable doing that, and have a good relationship with the parents, I would give them a call and mention the situation, and give them the opportunity to solve the situation at home.

I have friends who have hygiene problems and I don't even feel comfortable talking about it more than once. Incorporate healthy procedures into class.

Solution #2
Top Solution
The teacher could take the approach to have a whole group lesson, or the teacher can address the student individually. The teacher can provide the students with hygiene products if they feel that the child does not have any at home. If the teacher is uncomfortable giving this talk, the school nurse would be able to give the talk with no problem. The school nurse is a great resource for this situation.

I like including the school nurse.

That is a good idea I never thought to get the school nurse. They can let the student know its importance to have good hygiene for their health!

Solution #3
If I were you I would just teach a lesson about personal hygiene. It may offend some kids, but if you a dress the whole class you aren't hurting one person.

I like this solution because it doesn't single the student out or make them feel bad about themselves

Solution #4
I found it honestly depends on the student and their personality. For example, no one wants to hear that their breathe stinks at any age of life. Having rapport with a student can make a big difference on how the student takes this information. Maybe contract the parent of the student to allow them to talk to their child first.
Solution #5
I would definitely speak with the student one-on-one. I would also make sure that they are able to afford these hygiene products or if whether someone at home does not care to make them available. If that was the case, I would make sure that I was able to help.

Helping disadvantaged students with hygienic products they need seems like a good school community project we could implement in schools.

Solution #6
This is a very touchy subject for some students, and you never know their situations at home. I would pull this student after class to discuss any issues, without pointing out their hygiene issues. If they trust and respect you, it can be much easier to discuss in private.
Solution #7
This can be a touchy subject for some students. If you have a relationship with the student I would say you can address this one-on-one with the student. If not I would have a lesson on personal hygiene by making it in a way like how in human growth and development did. This way the whole class is addressed and there is not a student that is singled out.
Solution #8
Since this is a difficult topic for all parties involved, it could be better to have a class discussion about taking care of ourselves. You could involve the school nurse who might be able to provide the students with personal hygiene products to use. It can be very informative in an informal way that doesn't single any one person out or makes someone feel completely uncomfortable.
Solution #9
You may want to keep extra hygiene products at your desk and let the class know they are available for use for all students. You may also want to pull the student aside and give them resources or refer them to the guidance counselor.
Solution #10
I would talk to the student privately. I had a student who you could tell hadn't washed their hair in a long time, and my CT kept asking her if she wet her head. The girl laughed but looked super embarrassed. So I would pull them aside and ask them about their hygiene routine. You could also teach a life skills lesson about hygiene so they know how important it is.
Solution #11
I think that is a difficult subject when the child is not yours, but I think I would talk to the class as a whole or maybe even send that student down to the clinic and maybe the school nurse could assist with talking to the student.
Solution #12
This has always been one of my biggest fears because you don't want to offend the student or hurt their feelings. I would pull the student out after class and just ask if they need anything and if everything is okay at home. Most guidance counselors have stock in hygiene products so maybe tell the guidance counselor about the students and they could help with the process.
Solution #13
I’m not sure if this is a problem with a specific student or multiple students in the class but either way I think it is important to not single anyone out or make anyone uncomfortable/embarrassed. I think that it could be useful to teach a lesson on the importance of hygiene and ways to have good hygiene. I would definitely suggest making his lesson seems as natural and normal as possible by touching on it being apart of everyone’s lives and maybe teaching it during science time. It could be a good idea to talk to the school nurse about different tips or even ask the nurse to come teach the lesson.
Solution #14
You could turn it into a whole group lesson, that way no student is feeling singled out and you might even be bringing up a topic that the students have been thinking about already. Or you can ask the school guidance counselor to come into the classroom and talk to the students as well.
Solution #15
I would have a discussion about hygiene with the whole class with a visual like a Powerpoint presentation. If there was a specific student I'd have a guidance counselor talk to this student.
Solution #16
If your students are at the age where puberty is kicking in and students need to start wearing deodorant, you could have a lesson with your whole class about hygiene. I wouldn't single the student out, especially if other students are around. I would just create a short lesson for the whole class about hygiene care- brushing teeth, wearing deodorant, etc.
Solution #17
I would address the issue with a class about personal hygiene and the importance of taking care of our body for all students. I can plan to have a guess speaker as well. the following week a would have a group project assignment about tips and things we can do to improve our own hygiene. If the matter persist with this particular student, I can take an step further and privately talk about it maybe there is a need to provide the student with personal hygiene articles.
Solution #18
Telling the student this at the end of class will certainly help so that they can go home and change that. Try relating to the student as well and let them know body odor is a natural thing, but being clean and unclean is a different story. Maybe as the student about it or their parents, they might be in a tough situation.
Solution #19
Address the class not just the student, I know some teachers that supplied their class with "gift bags" they had a travel deodorant and other goodies in it.
Solution #20
Instead of calling out on specific students who have bad hygiene I would consider doing a whole group lesson on hygiene. Provide students with products that could help students hygiene or even a pamphlet that indicate ways of having good hygiene.
Solution #21
Do not address a student directly. Instead, you should respectfully address the entire class.
Solution #22
I would keep them after class and ask them if they need anything specific. Do not criticize them or point out that they smell, etc. I would keep a little bin of small travel size materials in my desk (deodorant, brush, perfume, etc.) and remind them that if they need anything at all, to please ask or email privately. They may be scared to ask or tell the whole story. If these subtle hints do not work, ask the to go to guidance where they can discuss privately.
Solution #23
I believe that the best thing to do would be to talk to your CT and the school counselor or nurse and have them talk to the student about their hygiene. It isnt something that needs to be brought up by you or your CT in case it embarrasses the student. You could have them go down to the office without the rest of the class knowing why. He may not have parents who advise him how to take care of himself or provide what he may need.
Solution #24
If I were you I would just teach a lesson about personal hygiene. It may offend some kids, but if you a dress the whole class you aren't hurting one person.

Yes ! This is what I would do

Solution #25
I would try not to single a student out by having a class lesson on the body that incorporates proper hygiene and what we do to feel clean.
Solution #26
This should always be handled privately with the student in question. do not embarrass them and keep in mind not every child has access to these products or has someone to teach them these things.
Solution #27
Let the student know that his actions might be making uncomfortable. They may be completely unaware of what’s going on.
Solution #28
I would have a class discussion about personal hygiene and have the students say their favorite products.
Solution #29
You could try to reach out to the parents, maybe send a quick email. This way the parents can teach their child a little bit about personal hygiene. Depending on the age of the students, this could be new to them.