Toileting Skills
Downloadable documents
Toileting skills include:
- getting on and off the toilet
- use the toilet
- managing clothes
- wiping bottom
- flushing the toilet
- washing hands independently.
This can take a lot of hard work, patience and practice, to master each step. However most children obtain proficiency between the ages 5-6.
Barriers to learning include:
- poor sitting balance
- poor dressing skils
- aversion to smells
- fear of the toilet
- sensory issue with bottom
- tactile defensiveness
- obesity.
Please check that your child understands the concept of wiping away pooh rather than trying to rub it away, and that each handful of toilet paper is a single wipe.
The child needs to be ready to learn or you will just encounter frustration. More detailed advice is available on bottom wiping and going to the toilet.