Ready, Steady, Grow!

Provide toilet and hygiene training

Child on potty illustration

Did you know that you can support your child’s growth and development if you:

Provide toilet and hygiene training

Why is this important to you and your child?

It helps with your child's physical development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development

If your child enters school already knowing how to blow their nose, use the toilet, and wash their hands, they can better make use of learning opportunities in schools and make friends.

Things you can do

  • Do not limit children’s drinks to help them stay dry as it doesn't work. Their bladder needs to be filled and emptied properly to keep it working well.
  • Be patient with your child as this is a new skill. Some children will find this easy, but others may take longer and accidents will happen.
  • Build your child’s confidence around the potty or toilet. Start with sitting first and encourage potty or toilet time, without asking if they need to go. Keep the time they are sitting short and offer lots and lots of praise for trying.
  • Encouraging boys to sit down to do everything to begin with.
  • Dress your child in clothing that is easy to pull up and down. Get your child to used to wearing pants.
  • When potty or toilet training your child, ensure all caregivers are consistent. If your child is looked after by a relative or goes to nursery or a childminder make sure you let them know that you’re starting potty training and the way you’re planning to do it. It really helps if everyone who cares for your child is doing the same thing.
  • Teach your child how to wash their hands when they have been to the toilet, wash themselves in the bath or shower, clean their teeth morning and night (we recommend assisted brushing up to the age of 7 years old)
  • Start to brush your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears using an age-appropriate brush and toothpaste.

If you’d like support, talk to

Other support available in Coventry

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