Chore guide
Brush your teeth
Brush every tooth for 2 minutes, morning and night.
- 1 star
- Ages 2 to 12
- Daily
- Morning and bedtime
Children can start brushing with help from age 2 and usually brush alone by 6 to 8, with a grown-up checking the evening brush. Turning it into a daily quest gives a reluctant brusher a reason to start without a debate.
Try this week with your kids
Noki suggests a first week of quests and rewards for your kids. You change what you like before you start.
Why it matters
Twice-a-day brushing is a habit kids keep for life, and it is one of the first routines they can own from start to finish. Owning it builds confidence for the rest of the morning.
Steps for kids
- Put a pea-sized dot of toothpaste on your brush.
- Brush the top teeth: fronts, backs and chewing sides.
- Brush the bottom teeth the same way.
- Brush your tongue gently.
- Spit, rinse your brush and put it back.
How to teach it by age
- Age 2
You hold the brush and they copy you in the mirror. Use a rice-grain smear of toothpaste.
- Ages 3 to 4
They start, you finish. Name each zone out loud: top, bottom, front, back.
- Ages 5 to 6
They brush alone in the morning. You check the evening brush and give one tip.
- Ages 7 to 8
Fully on their own. Add a 2-minute song or sand timer if they rush.
- Ages 9 to 10
Add flossing as a separate quest once brushing is steady.
Questions parents ask
How many stars should brushing earn?
1 star per brush is enough. It is a small, daily habit, so keep bigger stars for chores that take more effort.
What if my child refuses to brush?
Offer 2 choices (which brush, which song) and brush your own teeth at the same time. Give the star for doing it. Stars are never taken away for refusing.
