Wiping and hand washing
Toilet Training Hygiene. A Clean Routine
by Chris Winicki
Below you’ll find some insights for teaching your toddler some good clean fun…potty hygiene. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth and tidy process for toilet training
Practice, Practice, Practice
Hygiene is an important part of every trip to the bathroom in order to avoid the spread of germs. It’s easier for your toddler to remember the rules of a germ-free toileting process if you maintain a routine each and every time she uses the toilet or potty. As long as you explain the potty process in a few steps, it will be easier for your toddler to remember what she needs to keep herself and the bathroom clean.
1, 2, 3
Try making signs or labels to demonstrate the simple steps to keeping clean and maintaining this potty etiquette. Illustrate sitting on the potty or toilet, wiping, flushing and washing hands. This will serve as a reminder of what to do each time your Big Kid™ goes to the toilet.
Flushing
Toddlers don’t always understand that the toilet should be clean after they use it. To help them remember to flush after each use, make it fun! Install a toilet bowl cleaner with green or blue dye – the transformation from clear to colour will serve as an entertaining reminder. Some toddlers have an initial fear of the flushing toilet so be patient with this step.
Washing Hands
The most important, and often the most forgotten rule of potty hygiene is washing their hands. To encourage a good ‘spring cleaning’ and to make it more appealing for your tot, use child-friendly soaps, but be sure to keep an eye on them – sometimes kids can have a little too much fun playing with water in the sink!" Anything that piques interest in the bathroom is a plus during toilet training. Try things like animal-shaped or sparkled soap, colourful liquid or foaming soap (many come in special child-friendly scents too) and hand towels featuring your toddler’s name or favourite cartoon-character.
These tips are great ways to help keep your bathroom and your toddler clean. By setting a good example and practicing, your toddler will be on their way to toilet training success!
For more information see Toilet Training Tips.