While we’ve all grown up with the habit of washing our hands religiously, it’s natural if we sometimes forget that bacteria is a very important part of human life. However, when it comes to our little ones, it’s important we understand the extent to which bacteria are essential for their healthy development.

For many of us, the word ‘bacteria’ brings all sorts of negative connotations to mind. However, relatively few bacteria are harmful pathogens or parasites that cause disease in animals and plants (1% to be exact!). In fact, the majority of bacteria are actually helpful for maintaining life here on earth. For example, exposing your young children to bacteria and germs as they grow up is vital for the development of their immune system and overall health. Children within the age bracket of 3-5 years old are at a particularly important stage of life where they are building up their immune system, so it’s crucial we understand bacteria better and how it affects them.

So, let’s educate ourselves about what bacteria is, what functions it has, and the role it will play in your child’s life as they grow.

What are bacteria and what role do they play?

First of all, what is bacteria? Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms which are classified into five groups with regard to their basic shapes: spherical (cocci), rod (bacilli), comma (vibrios), corkscrew (spirochaetes) or spiral (spirilla). They carry out all six life processes such as movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, excretion and nutrition.

Every type of habitat on earth is filled with bacteria. Whether you are walking through a field of green grass, climbing a rocky mountain, swimming in deep, blue oceans, or hiking through freezing arctic snow, bacteria is the very foundation of life. Bacteria can also be found on and within many organisms such as plants and animals, including humans.

In the environment, they are vital for the functioning of the ecosystem and are important decomposers. They are responsible for the cycling of nutrients and are incredibly important for the production of fermented foods such as soy sauce and yoghurt.

But how do bacteria affect humans?

Within the human body, there are known to be billions of bacteria, with ten times more bacteria cells than human cells. Bacteria are very good at reproducing at an extremely fast rate, which is the reason why we get ill so quickly with infections like ear infections, sore throats or stomach bugs when infected with a pathogen or parasite.

Although bacteria can make us ill, it also makes life easier for us in many different ways. Ultimately, we could not survive as a race without it. For example, they help to digest food and make vitamins and are used by scientists in labs to create vaccines.

So, what is bacteria’s role and how will it affect my child as they grow?

As a parent, it’s normal to question exposing your child to new, unfamiliar environments. After all, we’ve been taught our whole lives to wash our hands religiously and avoid germs at all costs, and passing these rituals onto our children feels like we’re protecting them. However, it’s very important that you expose your child to bacteria as they grow, as this will determine their health well into their future.

In their infancy, children have what is called a young, developing microbiome (which is defined as the full array of microorganisms (the microbiota) that live on and in humans). The microbiome must develop in a healthy way in order to fuel a child’s immune system as they grow. As babies grow into infants and come into contact with new environments and people, the shape of their microbiota begins to change and become more distinct and stabilised. Ensuring they are exposed to other children, animals and outdoor environments means that your child will develop greater protection from illnesses, allergies and even autoimmune diseases as they age.

Why is bacteria important for my child?

Unii looks at how bacteria and germs can benefit your child's health.