Get ready for school: All aboard the Toilet Train and The Potty Training Guide
Children starting at school is an exciting time, with lots of things to learn in their new environment. If they’re struggling with wee and poo issues or if they have a problem like constipation, it can be worrying, but help is at hand.
What is Toilet Train?
ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity aims to help get as many children trained and ready for school as possible by offering support via email, their website and their helpline. They want to help as many families as possible.
Parents and carers will be able to sign up via this page to receive a weekly email from ERIC packed with helpful advice and information. The journey lasts 6 weeks, after which you’ll be added to their mailing list and will continue to receive helpful advice from them going forward. Everyone receives the same information, but you’ll be signposted to their online helpline form if you need any personalised support.
There’s so much to think about when you first start school, but toileting doesn’t need to be one of them. Just remember the 5Ps:
- Prepare: think about what you might need to take with you, like spare pants, trousers and wipes just in case
- Practice: use loos away from home and try different types of flushes and hand dryers
- Pants: practice wearing your big kid pants and get used to pulling them up and down when you go to the loo
- Plan: try and get into a good toilet routine before you go to school
- Praise: give yourself a big clap whenever you try to use the loo by yourself. You deserve it!
"Potty training is an important milestone in your child’s development. We understand that all children develop at their own pace, but research shows it’s best for your child’s bowel and bladder health to stop using nappies, including reusable nappies, pull-ups and training pants, between 18 and 30 months.
It’s really important that children are out of all nappies well in advance of starting Reception year in school. The only exception should be children with a diagnosed medical need, such as a bladder or bowel condition.
Being out of nappies not only helps children to feel confident, healthy and part of the group, it also means teachers can spend more time teaching and supporting children’s development in other ways." The Potty Training Guide.
There is also a link to the Potty Training Guide, click here to go to the website.#
Top tips from The Potty Traing Guide:
- Change nappies standing up on the floor (once your child can stand independently) in a bathroom and involve them in the process (e.g. flushing poo, washing hands, pushing trousers and pull-ups down and pulling back up).
- Give regular nappy-free time. Try this after they have done a wee and poo so they can experience the feeling of being nappy free. Help them to put the nappy back on after half an hour to keep them clean and dry.
- Talk about wee and poo in a matter-of-fact way.
- Make the bathroom feel comfortable for your child, especially if your child has sensory processing difficulties. For example, if your child finds the noise of the toilet flush overwhelming, try using ear defenders in the bathroom.
- Some children may be sensitive to toilet smells. Try having lavender, peppermint or an air freshener in the bathroom.
- Wear clothes that are easier to pull down, (e.g. joggers or leggings) rather than trousers with buttons (e.g. jeans), or skirts with tights, which are trickier to undo when it’s time to go to the bathroom, are a great idea! Some children prefer to go without clothes from the waist down in the first few days after they stop using nappies.