Toilet
Learning

At
Marin Day Schools the term “toilet training” is a misnomer.  We do not train children to use the
toilet.  We work collaboratively
with parents and support and help children who are ready.  Signs that children are ready include:
children saying they want to use the toilet, staying dry for long periods of
time, children telling you they have gone to the bathroom in their diaper,
children talking about it.  By
waiting until a child is developmentally ready we protect the child from undo
stress.

When
a parent or teacher feels that a child is ready to start using the bathroom the
teacher must meet with the parents to discuss how the parents are helping the
child learn to use the bathroom at home.
Request that the parents send the child in sweat pants or clothes easy
for a child to manipulate.  Also, request lots of extra clothes from parents.  At Marin Day Schools we do not allow
“pull-ups.”  They feel
like diapers and give children a mixed message.

The
bathroom needs to be an attractive place to be.  It is advisable to hang photographs of
the children, or interesting pictures.
It is also advisable to have books readily available.  Teachers must give children time.  A toddler may never be left alone in
a bathroom.  After a child uses
the toilet the teacher needs to acknowledge, what the child did.  Children must always wash their hands
after using the toilet.

It
is the responsibility of the teaching team to work out the logistics for
children to be taken to the toilet as needed.  If a child who is learning to use the
toilet soils his pants say, “Accidents happen.  Let’s clean it up.”  Or, “I’m sure you’ll
get to the toilet faster next time.”
Teachers must be reassuring and positive.

Helpful
Hints:  Talk about the potty with children.  Read stories about using the potty.  Have a potty party when someone gets
trained.  Play with dolls and
puppets that use the toilet.  Sing
potty songs.