Basic Hygiene Video

Reviews

Puberty brings on many changes, including body odor, bad breath, skin breakouts, tooth decay, oily hair, and other conditions. Hosted by older teens Jackson and Sophie, this short, reassuring program offers tips on maintaining good hygiene and managing puberty. Humorous animation and comments from a diverse group of youngsters help introduce segments that deal with such issues as changes in hair, feet, hands, skin, and more. Advice on avoiding, dealing with, and managing problem areas is provided. Live-action inserts demonstrate suggested techniques; a pediatrician answers questions that teens may be too shy or embarrassed to ask. Although some product names are included, the hosts stress the importance of asking parents or trusted adults for specific recommendations. This upbeat and fun program is a welcome addition to both school and public library collections. Includes an educators’ guide, student handouts, and tests in digital format.

— Debra McLeod
Booklist Online

A perennial problem for teachers and parents of children during the puberty years is helping them maintain clean bodies when those bodies are changing in bewildering ways. As one of the thornier issues for both child and adult, this engaging, easy-to-follow film should find a welcome home in middle school health media collections. Hosted by attractive young presenters – one sporting braces – and demonstrated by both cartoon and real kids that should appeal to young audiences, Basic Hygiene covers cleaning the body from “head to toe.” Hair care, bathing, handwashing, foot care, cleaning teeth and skin care are covered, including basic instructions such as washing with soap and changing socks daily to prevent athlete’s foot. Each section is concluded with a repetition of key points and relevant questions posed by a range of kids to “Dr. Pete,” a pediatrician. Free Teacher’s Resource Book included. Recommended for middle school and junior high health collections. 

—Kay Hogan Smith, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences 
Educational Media Reviews Online (EMRO)

Editor’s Choice, 4 out of 4 stars (excellent).  Although one might hope that basic hygiene is common knowledge, everyone who’s gone through adolescence knows that being around peers who practice good hygiene is a boon, not a right. Featuring two young hosts and expert pediatrician Dr. Peter Richel, The Basic Hygiene Video explores ways to deal with the more negative aspects of puberty and changing hormones. Following a basic format of identifying a problem, explaining why it’s normal, and offering tips to combat it, topics covered include body odor (wash every day—with soap—and go easy on perfume or cologne, oral hygiene (maybe use a timer when brushing teeth), hair care (ask your folks what’s best for you), and feet, hand, and skin care (with a focus on dreaded acne). Concluding with a recap, this straightforward, succinct guidance program is highly recommended.

—J.Williams-Wood
Video Librarian