Toilet Learning

Suggested Activities

Toileting Check-in: Going smooth? Hit and miss? Not going at all?

Studio June in Houston, TX shared a webinar video with fellow AMI Assistants to Infancy Guides. Here, you will learn how toilet learning is approached at TMSE


My Favorite books for Parents and Children

Toilet Awareness by Sarah Moudry

Going to the Potty by Fred Rogers (children like the picts)

Diaper Free Before 3 by Jill M. Lekovic, M.D.

Potty by Leslie Patricelli

Diapers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick

Dishwashing

Suggested Activities:

  • Sink or Float
    • Basin/tub or bowl and objects found around the house and in nature (i.e. pencil, string, cork, key, magnet, bath toy, acorn, leaf, stick, rock, seashell, flower or pedal)
      • Extension- make a chart with three columns: list the items with pictures, a smiling face and a frowning face. Child notes if something sinks or floats with the faces
  • Dish Washing
    • Washing dishes satisfies the child’s need to work in water and integrates their intellect, will, and movement
    • Beginning, middle, and end to our work. There is a sequence and we want to guide our children to completing the steps and age dictates how long they will concetrate. When you loose their concentration, encourage them to return and/or model how to complete the steps
      • Beginning: bib/apron on, squirt soap on sponge, turn water on (light stream or tub of water sits in sink and leave water off)
      • Middle: washing, rinsing, and place dishes on towel or dish rack
      • End: dry off counter, wet bib/apron placed in laundry basket
  • Ask your child, “Do you want to dry the dishes or (new activity)…”
  • Filling the Dishwasher and Emptying the Dishwasher
    • This work teaches sorting and also integrates their intellect, will, and movement
    • Psychologically all this work teaches your child they are an important person and a valuable member of their family and school community. This forms an “I can do it!” attitude that will last through adulthood

Nature Walks

Suggested Activities:

  • Hiking Trails
    • West Essex Trail: walk or bike, easy 5 miles (or less), goes through Verona, Cedar Grove, and Little Falls. Put in at the rear of Verona High School tennis courts and ends in Little Falls at rail road tracks- I think the Boonton Line. Dog friendly and great jumps for your bike
    • South Mountain Reservation: hike to Hemlock Falls on the Lenape Trail. Various places to park, making the hike long or short. I park at 2-60 Bear Lane or Crest Drive at Bramhall Terrace. Dog friendly
    • Toilet break and wash your hands

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  • Set the table for lunch (placemats, dishes, utensils, glasses, napkins)
  • Light a candle
    • Sing a song
    • Child snuffs the flame or blow out
    • Enjoy your lunch
  • Toilet, wash hands, and change your clothes
  • Nap or quiet time (12-3pm)

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  • Wake-up sleepy heads!
  • Toileting and wash your hands
  • Snack
  • Choose work and/or go outside. Child decides- (3-5pm)

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April Fools Day

Jello

Happy April Fools Day have fun playing jokes all day!

We are taking long walks everyday, making lots of classroom material, and hanging out with Gaia and Van Gogh- they love all the attention.

Checkout!