Play for Healthy Teeth!
Caring for children’s teeth is important for their dental health — and their overall health and wellbeing. In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Sparkler is sharing a fun new lineup of activities that parents can try with their babies and children to make brushing fun and part of the daily routine. Families can find the activities in their Sparkler apps; providers using Sparkler’s dashboard can find the activities in the Library and share them with families.
Sugar Bug Buster
- Print or draw a picture of of teeth. Laminate it or put it inside of a Ziplock bag.
- With a dry erase marker, draw “sugar bugs” onto the teeth on the outside of the bag.
- Ask your child to use circular motions with a toothbrush to wipe away the sugar bugs!
Children will learn how to clean teeth, make connections, and build perception!
Brush Your Teeth
- We need to brush our teeth every morning and every night to keep our teeth healthy and strong.
- Ready your child’s toothbrush and then brush and dance to Elmo for the whole length of the song.
- Remember to spit at the end!
Children will look forward to brushing with Elmo — and practice an important “independence” skill as they brush their teeth. (Other songs, around 2 minutes, can work if children prefer other music!)
Tooth Counter
- By the time they’re three years old, most children have 20 teeth — 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom. Tell your child: “Let’s brush the germs off every single one of your teeth!”
- Count together as you brush the top: 1 … 2 … 3 … !
- Then brush and count the bottom.
Children will practice their brushing AND build their math skills as they count.
