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3 min read

Learning to wipe is an important self-care skill for children to learn, especially before starting Kindergarten or Casa.

In preschool, the educators are heavily involved in the toileting process, i.e. diaper changes, cleaning up the children and introducing or supporting potty training to those who are ready.

However in kindergarten, Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) in the classroom will help children with toileting when needed but they do not accompany each child to the bathroom or assist with routine toileting.

While it is not mandatory that children be fully toilet independent before starting kindergarten, the teachers do ask parents to work on toileting, including wiping their own bottoms, over the summer.

So if you have a child entering school in the fall, now is a great time to start practicing wiping!

Why is this an important skill to learn?

  • Develops independence and confidence - Mastery of personal hygiene gives children pride in taking care of themselves.

  • Makes it easier for children to adjust to the routines and expectations of the school day.

  • Develops body awareness and healthy hygiene habits.

  • Prevents the spread of illness - An unwiped bottom can be itchy, leading to scratching. This puts fecal matter on the child’s hands, which then come into contact with shared surfaces and materials.

How to Teach Your Child to Wipe Themselves in 6 Steps: 

  1. Give yourself as much time as possible. Do not save this for the last couple of weeks of the summer. Your child has a better chance of success if they are not feeling rushed and you’re not stressed about it.

  2. Use child-friendly language and talk about it. “After we poop, we always wipe our bum to keep it clean. If we don’t wipe, it can get itchy and uncomfortable. Wiping helps us stay healthy and feel good in our body.”

  3. Begin by helping. Demonstrate how to unroll, rip, and fold the toilet paper. Wipe their bottom and narrate what you’re doing: “I’m reaching around to your bottom. Now I’m wiping your bottom from the front to the back. Let’s check the toilet paper to see if it’s clear. Not yet, so we’ll wipe again. Now we can drop it into the toilet.”

  4. Invite your child to have a turn. Offering assistance as needed. At first, your child will likely need a lot of help, not just with wiping, but with every step of the process.

    You may need to guide their hand, help them adjust their reach, or even do most of the wiping for them. This is normal. The goal is gradual independence over time. Reassure your child that it’s okay to take their time and that you’ll help them get the hang of it.

  5. Repeat the process until the paper is clear. Whether you are wiping or the child is trying independently, always check the paper before dropping it into the toilet. Repeat this process until the paper shows no more visible poop. You can use the phrase “We wipe until the paper is clear” to help your child remember what to look for.

  6. Encourage handwashing every time. Make this part of the routine.

Tips:

  • Have patience and trust the process. They can and will learn. It just may take a little longer than you’re hoping.
  • Practice at bath time. Use a wet washcloth on their own body to practice the motion and reach.
  • Practice self-care on dolls or stuffed animals.