Teesside parents urged to toilet train their children before starting school
New guidance and a practical film has been launched as part of a new campaign by the Government
Parents in Teesside are being urged to use the summer holidays to help their children get toilet trained before starting school.
New guidance and a practical film has been launched as part of a new campaign by the Government.
With just a few weeks to go until hundreds of thousands of four-year-olds start Reception, the campaign reassures parents that there is still time to build their child’s toilet independence.
The five simple steps include helping children understand what's happening, recognising the signs that they need the toilet, praising progress, learning practical skills such as handwashing and wiping, and staying consistent once children begin wearing pants during the day.
Kindred data shows 1 in 4 children start school not toilet trained, with teachers spending up to 1.4 hours per day managing accidents and helping children with key skills such as wiping and handwashing.
While 43% of parents believe their child will get there in their own time, new research shows many parents need more toilet training support. Nearly half of parents (48%) say they find it difficult, rising to 56% among those toilet training four-year-olds. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 (20%) parents are not confident knowing what to do if it is not going well.
Toilet independence is a key part of preparing for school and is about much more than simply being dry. It includes children recognising when they need to go, encouraging them to ask for help if they need it, managing clothing, wiping, flushing and washing their hands – everyday skills that can help children feel confident and ready to learn from day one.
Jodi Tregronning is from Middlesbrough but works as the Clinical Lead for School Readiness and SEND at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and she said: "One in four children are starting school not toilet trained and this is a really important skill that can help children to prepare for that important transition for school.
"It builds confidence, it helps them to settle more quickly and to focus on their learning. Celebrate every success or praise your child for trying, whether they manage to go or not. What we want to do is build their confidence and make them feel proud of their progress.
"There's still time to kind of start building these really important skills. Toilet training isn't a parenting test and it's not about achieving perfection straight away. So, you know, it doesn't have to be perfect for day one of school.
"And it's just to reassure parents that all children are different, they learn at different rates and progress usually comes through patience, encouragement and those opportunities to practice rather than putting pressure on them."
Five simple toilet training steps
Step 1: Tell your child what's happening
- Choose a time when life is fairly calm and there are not too many changes happening at once.
- Let your child know that they will be starting to use a potty or toilet instead of nappies.
- Talking to them about what is going to happen can help make the change feel less surprising.
Step 2: Stop using nappies during the day
- It's time to swap nappies for pants during the day.
- Wearing pants helps your child notice when they are wet or dry, which is an important part of learning to use a potty or toilet.
- Start with daytime potty training and keep using nappies during naps and at night for now.
Step 3: Help your child use the potty or toilet regularly
- Your child may not always know when they need a wee or poo yet, so don't wait for them to tell you every time they need the toilet.
- Instead, make using the toilet part of your everyday routine. You could encourage them to go:
o when they get up
o after eating food
o before leaving the house
o before naps
o every time they are out and pass a toilet
o before bed
- Over time, they may start to show you when they need to go. For example, your child might:
o tell you they need a wee or poo
o tell you when they are wet or dirty
o fidget, go quiet or make faces
- When you notice these signs, gently encourage them to try using the potty or toilet. Some children may not show these signs, and that's okay too.
- If you're out and about, be prepared. Take plenty of changes of clothes, a travel potty if you have one and an absorbent seat liner if you drive a car.
Step 4: Praise their efforts
- Praise them for trying, whether or not they manage a wee or poo. Helping your child feel proud of their progress can help build their confidence.
Step 5: Help your child build their confidence with new skills
- As your child gets used to using the potty or toilet, you can encourage them to do a little more for themselves, such as:
o wiping their bottom
o washing their hands
o flushing the toilet
o pulling their pants up and down
o choosing which pants to wear
- This can help them build confidence and feel more in control.
Further guidance is available on the NHS website.