Stay in the Bathroom with Pre-school Age?

[Pestle]

I got a phone call at 10 o'clock at night complaining that her child had seen a boy go potty.

That's ridiculous. My daughter's at a private school with separate boys' and girls' bathrooms and she's come back telling me that "John has a big urethra and Mary has a little one like me and Bob has a big urethra . . . ."



Trying too hard to keep the kids from learning anatomy is just going to give them a complex. Or constipation. Or both.

[Febby]

Do you want the licensing approved answer? Because legally, (in a center) we're required to see (and hear) all children at all times, which requires me to watch the child in the bathroom.

In reality, it's more of a judgement call. The majority of children do not need me to stand in the bathroom and watch them. A couple in my current group do need someone to keep an eye on them and to give out reminders as needed. The rest are fine on their own, though they do occasionally require minor assistance.

As far as children that I can't leave alone, I have a table between my two bathrooms and said child gets to sit there with an activity. Fortunately, I don't have those very often. If I had a whole group I couldn't leave alone, I guess they'd all be at tables doing table activities.

[Luke25]

Honestly, my kiddos are pretty darn good... I also run a pretty tight ship when it comes to expectations. Usually I don't have more than one or two that need assistance and usually they don't need the help for very long so it's not a regular thing that I deal with....

If I had a biter or a child I *knew* was a potential danger to others, I'd either take that child with me or I'd plop them in a PNP for a few minutes. ANY thing so that I am able to prevent injury or conflict while I am pre-occupied.

If I am helping a one in the bathroom, they are usually at least 3yrs old or older so directives can be just as helpful as physically helping...kwim? Instead of actually assisting Janey with pulling her pants up, I can just as easily say "Janey, use your hands and grab on to the back of your pants. Use your other hand and grab the front. Yes, just like that. Now pull them up. A little farther, yep! You got this!" You get the gist...

I guess the biggest thing for me is knowing the kids in care and how their dynamics work. If I know Billy and Johnny argue over toys alot, I will find something for them to be preoccupied with while I am busy for a few minutes... I'll give each boy a specific job to do... Kids love being "helpers" I'll have one child straighten books or look for a specific one... basically anything to keep them busy while I am busy with someone other than them.

The key for older kids is to make sure they know your expectations BEFOREHAND and have a consequence for those that don't behave. For the littles ones that don't understand expectations, be proactive. Put them somewhere they can't get into anything or be a danger to themselves or others. HTH

Thanks black cat! I figured you'd have some good advice!
That's pretty much what I was thinking for my little ones but hearing from a professional helps. I taught kindergarten but this is a completely different ballgame with these little ones!haha I'm learning as I go and want to do the right thing for my sweet littles.