10 Tips If Your Toddler Won’t Blow His Nose

We have conquered potty training, brushing teeth, and washing our hands. Now it is time for teaching your toddler about blowing their nose. It is a simple idea for us, but for your toddler, maybe not so much. Here are ten tips and tricks to get your toddler to blow their nose:

Teach With Reflection

It may sound like a bizarre way to teach but utilizing a mirror so the child can see. Have the toddler stand in front of a mirror. Let them see what is coming out of their nose when they blow. Yes, it can be a gross but effective way for a toddler to see that it is good to blow the nose. Some many individuals and children are visual learners. Make the process fun and not a gross moment for the toddler.

Use Bath Time For Blow Time

There are not many toddlers who hate taking a bath. The bath is generally a fun time with bubbles and toys. The cleaning part is done in two parts playtime and scrubbing time. Using the time to make water bubbles is excellent. Doing this step and any bath time should always have supervision. Have your toddler put their nose just below the water and blow out, creating bubbles. In doing so teaches about airflow from the nose. It also teaches that it can be done on demand.

The Cotton Ball Blow

Creating a game of move the cotton ball is an excellent way to teach. The first step is to place a cotton ball under the toddler’s nose. The next step is to have the toddler move the cotton ball with only the air from their nose. The game is teaching about getting air our from the nose, not the mouth. Toddlers tend to breathe through their mouth, especially with a stopped up nose. The game teaches the importance of airflow from the nose, not just the mouth.

The Feather Game

The act of creating game settings creates a more relaxed way of teaching for a toddler. Using a feather on a flat surface that has no obstruction see who can move the feather. It can only be done using nose air power. The great accomplishment of moving the feather will empower your toddler. The fact is children and toddlers love the sense of accomplishment. The Feather Game gives that sense of that. It is also a great way to have a fun time with your child.

Blow The Hankie Game

An excellent way to start a toddler on tissue blowing. The toddler will need to take a deep breath, clench their teeth. Then blow using only the nose air to move the tissue. The blowing of air only from the nose is one of the hardest ideas to grasp for a toddler. If he or she moves the tissue with only the nose air, then they win. The game can be changed up a bit by holding one nostril closed. The interactive game teaches and is fun. Once the tissue is used, then the instruction goes on to show how to dispose of it. It can be a dual teaching time for nose blowing and how to stop germs spreading.

Teach By Example

You undoubtedly have found your toddler loves to imitate you. When you are blowing your nose, ensure the toddler sees you do it. Even if it is a fake blow off your nose, it can lead to a child mimicking your actions. The setting of an example is one that is a keystone of any modern society.

The Animal Sound Game

The game of making animal sounds has always been grand fun for children. The nose blowing version is simple. Think of an animal that snort’s like a pig. The game is to get your toddler to make the sound with the nose only. The instance of air going in and coming out will create the act of blowing. Having a tissue handy or a handkerchief is ideal for the situation.

Always Make It Easy

A person’s nose is a very sensitive area. The nose of a child can be more sensitive than adults. Having an item that your toddler enjoys using is key. The tissue using may be too abrasive. Keeping a handkerchief or cloth that is soft will encourage nose blowing. Some children have a favorite blanket. The odds that you can create a favorite item for your toddler to blow their nose on is high.

The Or Else Situation

The “or else” phrases is not to instill fear. There should never be a time where a toddler or child fears the act of nose blowing. A nostril aspirator bulb is not a fun tool to use. When a child is sick, it may be the only item to help with removing mucus. The act of using it can be uncomfortable for a toddler. A fun game is to create that the aspirator is a monster. The tissue or handkerchief could be the hero. The child or toddler uses it on the nose with blowing to chase off the “aspirator monster.”

Blowing Out The Candles

This is a game of blowing out the candles like on a birthday cake. Instruct the toddler to pull in a big deep breath. Then with the mouth shut, act like they are blowing out candles. Make sure the toddler understands that they can not open their mouth. All of the air needed to blow out the candles comes from their nose.

The blowing of the nose is an important skill for a child to learn. There are many milestones in our children’s life. The skill of blowing one’s nose should be taught and, when accomplished, praised. There will be some gross instances. However, teaching proper nose blowing and discarding of used tissue keeps our world healthy.