Is your little one about to start kinder or school?

Starting kinder or school can be stressful for children, and their parents/care givers.

Stress, anxiety, and fear can affect your child’s bladder and bowel (wee & poo).

Getting to the toilet in their new environment may become difficult because:

• Your child is not used to public toilets
• The toilets may be a little smelly or different from home
• Your child may be afraid to ask to go to the toilet when they need to
• Your child may not want to miss out on the action, so holds on all day
• And finally, your child’s eating and drinking habits often change – eating and drinking less or more, eating, and different food at different speeds.
• Any of these changes can cause constipation, an overflow of poo, daytime wetting, or a return to bed wetting.

How can you help your child adjust?

• Visiting public toilets is a great way to introduce independent toileting to your child.
• Get them to choose a toilet
• Have them close the door and practice locking/unlocking it
  
• Practice zipping/unzipping, buttoning/unbuttoning, lifting skirts/dresses, pulling up/down pants
• Show them how to use the toilet/urinal
• Show them how to wipe themselves
• Flushing
• Washing hands including turning on taps

Talk about different smells, possible floaties in toilets and toilet paper in weird spots in a fun way to make all the possible scenarios they may come across acceptable to your child

Also, discuss with your child that it is importance to go to the toilet when they need to so asking within class is not only OK but important. Holding on all day – can lead to problems!

Explaining that going to the toilet before school starts, recess, lunchtime and after means they may not have to go during class time. Ensure they are ok to go to the school / kinder toilet and if not, take the time to go daily with them before and after school to help them through any worries they may have.

This might all sound basic but to a little one who has always had you or another adult with them, independent toileting can be scary

Some other toileting tips:

• 5-10 minutes is enough time on the toilet for anyone!
• Add markers with stickers or a black sharpie on their water bottle to encourage drinking at school.
• Chat with your child’s teacher if there are any toileting issues
• Ensure that their poo and wee technique is effective; sitting with chest forward, elbows on knees, and pushing the tummy out helps the poo to exit more easily. 



If your child is experiencing bedwetting, daytime wetting or soiling we can help. The answers are often remarkably simple and toilet success will follow