I love that you are taking a trauma-informed approach to your policies and are concerned with what may be causing the increase in toileting accidents. There are many factors that contribute to this behavior, including the major factor of young children having very few ways they can exert control in their own lives. Any behavior specialist or child psychologist would tell you that there are two things children can have sole control of and those are intake/output (food/toileting) and they will if routines change majorly or they feel significant disruptions in their lives (illness, food scarcity, new baby, divorce, stressed parents, a move, witnessing a traumatic event, death in the family, abuse). Adults are able to control all other things in children's lives (schedule, bedtime, clothing, toys, entertainment, choices, meal time, food offered). Because of this, it is important to keep expectations high and offer positive behavioral supports to encourage appropriate choices such as toileting and be explicit about it (group or individual sticker charts, intermittent reinforcers, reading all the "potty" books as a part of the regular curriculum and routine trips to the restroom). Kids do not do this intentionally and are likely looking for someone to assure them life is going to be more predictable, again. Ask parents to be your partner is restoring this normalcy and help them understand how to toilet train in a positive way. In the end, the child will feel supported and comfortable saying "goodbye" to those diapers (or the worst invention ever, in my unsolicited opinion....pull ups!). Good luck!
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Amanda Carlson
Amanda Carlson
Vista CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2021 05:11 AM
From: Candice Tripi Scott
Subject: bathroom accidents
Thank you for all the responses. Even though I don't understand how Covid is directly related to bathroom accidents, For families who have lost a loved one I understand the trauma can be the issue. The situation I am running into is that parents were not able to potty train the children. At the beginning of the year, we may have had one or two accidents while students adjust to the new environment, but we are now in week twelve and it is still happening. I am sorry and glad to hear that we are not alone. Our policies have changed this year to accommodate families. Praying for families to move past the COVID crisis and be able to work with their children in the home setting.
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CTS
Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2021 09:11 AM
From: Rebecca Courouble
Subject: bathroom accidents
we have the same issue at our school. Normally, we have a policy that students should be potty trained, if not we work with families to provide a routine to support at home and the students can return a few weeks later or students can start with half a day to ease the transition. This year, we are not allowed to send the students back home. So those students are at school and teachers are trying to do their best to set up a routine (taking them more often to the bathroom - at each transition, asking them, reminding them) We also used stories to create conversation.
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Rebecca Courouble
elsie whitlow stokes
Washington DC
Original Message:
Sent: 10-31-2021 06:19 AM
From: Candice Tripi Scott
Subject: bathroom accidents
Hello,
This year in our 3 and 4-year-old program we have several children who wet their pants on a regular basis with no attempt to go to the bathroom and a couple who will have a bowel movement and continue to play as normal. I am wondering if any one else is seeing this issue. We have been told that bathroom accidents are on the rise because of COVID.
Blessings,
CTS