Contributed by Catherine Palomino, MS, a former Childcare Center Director in New York, who completed her MS in Elementary Education in 2010.
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If you want to teach your child how to blow their nose, start by encouraging them to practice blowing air with their mouth first. Blowing bubbles and candles out on a birthday cake can be fun activities to help them control their breath. When they’re ready to move on to nose blowing, make it a game and remind them to keep their mouth closed.
Learning to Intentionally Blow Air
- Practice blowing air with the mouth using bubbles and birthday candles.
- Have fun while blowing air through the nose by keeping the mouth closed and turning it into a game.
- Explain the importance of nose blowing and show the child what mucus is.
Teaching Your Child To Use a Tissue
- Experiment with different types of tissue paper and let your child choose their favorite.
- Use siblings as examples and explain the steps of blowing the nose.
- Keep a light-hearted tone while teaching and have a trash bin nearby.
Community Q&A
If a child with Angelman Syndrome struggles to blow their nose, try using a paper towel to build up blowing pressure or teach them to clean with a cotton bud. Consider using nasal spray to help clear out mucus.
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If your child feels discomfort when blowing their nose due to enlarged adenoids, think about using nasal spray or consulting a doctor.
Teaching a child to blow their nose can be tricky, especially when they’re sick. Here are 5 tips to aid in teaching this essential skill:
- Teach nose blowing when your child is healthy, not when they’re ill.
- Show them how to blow their nose by setting an example.
- Make nose blowing enjoyable by incorporating games.
- Ensure kids don’t overdo blowing their noses.
- Use step-by-step instructions to guide nose blowing.
For more advice on nose blowing, consult with your GP for proper medical guidance. Help your children master this skill by teaching them when they’re feeling well and leading by example.
Additionally, it’s important to use soft tissues that are gentle on the skin when teaching children to blow their noses. Encourage proper hand washing before and after blowing the nose to prevent the spread of germs. Remember to praise and encourage your child’s efforts as they learn this important skill.
1. Teach nose blowing when they’re well
Teach children to blow their noses before they get sick to help them grasp the concept. Keep tissues easily accessible in colorful boxes to make it more appealing to them. Encourage children to practice blowing their noses regularly, even when they are feeling well, so that they are prepared to do so when they are sick. Demonstrate the proper technique for blowing the nose, using gentle, one-sided blows to avoid irritation. Remind children to wash their hands after blowing their nose to prevent the spread of germs. Consistent practice and reinforcement of good nose-blowing habits can help children maintain good hygiene and prevent the spread of illness.
2. Blow your nose as an example
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Take your time when teaching children to blow their noses, as it may take some time for them to learn. Stay patient and make sure tissues are within reach for them.
To teach children how to blow their nose, demonstrate the process and explain its importance. Use soft facial tissues to make it easier, like Cushelle.
3. Teach nose blowing with silly games
Kids learn best through play, so use games to teach them how to blow their noses. Make it fun and engaging to encourage their participation.
- Copycat game: Take turns blowing your nose playfully with your child.
- Bubble bath: Encourage blowing bubbles in the bath to practice nose blowing.
- Foggy mirror: Have a contest to see who can fog up the mirror the most.
- Feather races: Race to blow feathers across the table using your noses.
- Practice regularly to make nose blowing a habit.
Patience and a lighthearted approach are key to effectively teaching children to blow their noses.
4. Teaching kids to avoid excessive nose blowing
Blowing your nose too forcefully can lead to nosebleeds, irritation, and infections. Remind children to blow gently and use home remedies to relieve congestion.
Some tips for gentle nose blowing:
- Use soft tissues to avoid irritation
- Blow one nostril at a time
- Avoid blowing too frequently
- Encourage children to stay hydrated to help thin mucus
- Teach proper hand hygiene before and after blowing their nose
By teaching kids the importance of gentle nose blowing, you can help prevent potential issues and promote healthy habits.
5. Talk through nose blowing with step-by-step instructions
Break down nose blowing into simple steps for kids:
- Hold tissue over the nose.
- Press a finger against one nostril.
- Blow gently out of the other nostril.
- Repeat with the other nostril.
- Dispose of tissues correctly and wash hands afterward.
Encourage practice and provide soft tissues for comfort when they need to blow their noses.
Teaching children how to blow their noses helps them manage colds and allergies better. Follow these tips to make nose blowing a simple and effective routine.
Teach Kids to Blow Their Nose
Mastering nose blowing is a vital skill for kids. Consider using gentle and efficient wipes, like Boogie Wipes® saline nose wipes, to help them clear their noses comfortably.
- by Colleen Beck OTR/L
- August 8, 2022
Teaching kids how to blow their noses is an essential skill that impacts their health. Here are some additional tips to help children learn to blow their noses effectively:
- Start by demonstrating how to blow your own nose and explain the steps involved.
- Use gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement to motivate your child to practice blowing their nose.
- Provide them with soft tissues or wipes that are specifically designed for sensitive noses to make the process more comfortable.
- Encourage your child to practice blowing their nose regularly, especially when they have a cold or allergies.
- Remind them to blow gently and not too forcefully to avoid any discomfort or irritation.
By teaching kids how to blow their noses properly, you are helping them take control of their health and well-being. With patience and practice, they will soon master this important skill.
How to Blow Your Nose
During this season, children often catch colds. With school back in session, kids are more exposed to germs from classmates and teachers. Dealing with runny noses is a natural part of caring for our little ones, who eventually start learning to blow their noses on their own.
Teaching children how to blow their noses involves various steps, including recognizing a congested nose, holding a tissue correctly, and blowing air through the nose. It can be challenging for some children, especially those with fine motor or sensory issues.
Parents may wonder when their child is ready to master nose blowing. Milestones for nasal care range from allowing nose wiping at age 1 to independent nose blowing by ages 2.5-3.5. However, every child is different, and some may not learn this skill until later on.
Fine motor skills such as pincer grasp and pinch grip strength are crucial for handling a tissue while blowing the nose. Encouraging activities to develop these skills can be beneficial.
Children with sensory sensitivities may find nose blowing distressing and may prefer unscented tissues. Sensory processing, especially interoception, plays a role in understanding when to blow the nose and if it’s being done effectively.
Executive functioning skills are also important, involving initiation, planning, attention, and impulse control, which are crucial for managing runny noses at school.
Oral motor skills are necessary for maintaining lip closure while blowing the nose. Practicing nose blowing with the mouth first can help kids understand the process before transitioning to blowing through the nose. It’s also easier to teach nose blowing to children when they’re not sick.
Ultimately, mastering the skill of nose blowing requires patience, practice, and understanding each child’s unique needs and abilities. It is an important aspect of personal hygiene and functional skill development.
Teach children the nose blowing technique by making ripples on water with their breath.
4. Practice blowing a nose by blowing a tissue ball.
Have the child blow a crumpled tissue ball on a table surface using their nose.
5. Practice blowing a nose by blowing on a mirror to see fog.
Ask the child to close one nostril and blow air onto a mirror with their nose.
6. Educate children about germ spread.
7. Demonstrate how to hold a nostril with a tissue.
Encourage children to make a tissue move by blowing air with one nostril.
8. Teach children to blow their nose by exaggerating the process.
Guide children to take a deep breath, close their mouth, and blow through the nose without a tissue.
9. Use a Nose Blowing Social Story.
Utilize a social story to teach children to blow their nose effectively.