Guest Posted January 28, 2006 Posted January 28, 2006 Hello, I have moved jobs from supervisor of pre-school (children 3 - 4 years of age) to a pre-school within a nursery (children 2.5 - 4 years of age). I am seeking advice from people with knowledge and experience of a 2 and a half year old who is constantly in the toilet stating he needs a wee 2 minutes after he has been in. He will sit on the loo or play with the water in the sink. He will do this all day. He enjoys the whole process of washing his hands and drying them. However, there's water and paper towels everywhere. When he was in the toddler room he could not get free access to the toilet as the handle was up high for adults to open, so, I can understand to as degree his interest. Please tell me he will get fed up with this The setting offers water activities every day and therefore he can turn to this interest in water activity in his play. Any advice would be greatly recieved. Thank you Angie
AnonyMouse_2732 Posted January 28, 2006 Posted January 28, 2006 Hi Angie! I'm in a DN pre-school room where the ages go from 2.6 to 4.6, so am in a similar position to you. I have often encountered children like this and personally believe it is the novelty of being a 'big one' and able to access such activities independently. The bathroom area is so much more attractive to some children as it is 'functional' rather than a set-up activity and as such symbolises their growing maturity (or am I talking out of my **** ?? ) Also, maybe he really does need a wee every 5 minutes - he is very young still, after all. And yes, I do think he will grow out of this once he gets used to it and becomes more involved with what is going on in the Room. I think you should 'go with the flow' and not fuss him or yourself too much about it. Meanwhile, think of all the learning opportunities across all the developmental areas - I'm sure Diane will have some suggestions on that score. What about it, Diane!! Sue
Guest Posted January 28, 2006 Posted January 28, 2006 I agree entirely with Sue's response, his fixation may also be because he doesn't have free access to the loo at home, especially playing with the water. I know of a lot of families who restrict water use, even to limiting the number of times to flush a toilet in the day, because of the cost of water meters Where are you Diane, you could share your whole A4 sheet of learning potential of the toilets Peggy
Guest Posted January 29, 2006 Posted January 29, 2006 Where are you Diane, you could share your whole A4 sheet of learning potential of the toilets Peggy 46573[/snapback] Hi guys! I couldn't resist! Peggy - an A4 sheet - it's a foolscap, multi-page hardback (he he ) by now! Please, never, knock the learning in the toilets. It kept me sane for many a year. Toilet fixation is very common in my experience. I often put it down to the obvious, as has already been said: novelty, adult attention and (dare I say it) fun! Having spent so much time in the toilets, I feel qualified to say: a fixation doesn't last forever. I have worked with children who have had a "potty-fixation", and once weaned onto the toilet, had no fixation at all. I have worked with children who just loved all the technology: "where does it go?"; "where does the water come from?"; "what is that pipe?"; and so on, ad infinitum. However, in some cases, I think you must also consider the possibility of urinary tract infections. Cystitis in little girls (no experience with boys, I'm afraid) makes them want to pee frequently, often without pain (but I'm told it is not always the same with boys). Girls can often want to stay close to the toilet, and go through protracted hand-washing, followed by another visit, etc., etc.). Having worked with ASD children with "toilet fixations" (gosh, why is this my specialist subject???), I found small world play very useful. The dolls' house bathroom and playmobil bathroom stuff were always favourites. It gave opportunities to talk about facilities in the setting, at home and elsewhere (e.g. in shopping centres, friends' houses, caravans, and so on). Obviously, liaison with parents is necessary, but I do feel that these aspects can be approached in children's play. The development of continence is a major stage in PSED and not all children cope with it in the same way. Diane (one-time toilet expert)
Guest Posted January 30, 2006 Posted January 30, 2006 Thank you Sue R stated. "And yes, I do think he will grow out of this once he gets used to it and becomes more involved with what is going on in the Room" You are quite correct Sue he is not particularly engaged in the activities and does wander alot. Peggy stated."His fixation may also be because he doesn't have free access to the loo at home" This, I hadn't thought of actually. Diane stated "Having spent so much time in the toilets, I feel qualified to say: a fixation doesn't last forever. Thank goodness for that. Yet again, thank you to everyones helpful replies Angie
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