Hi Juliana,
My classroom has a similar situation. The only difference is that I have only one toilet that is shared with another classroom. This makes wait times even longer. My state ratio allows us to have 10 preschoolers to only one teacher. When I am alone, I generally read a story to the children that are not going to the bathroom and have the others that are fully potty-trained go to the bathroom first as I read the story. I then take any child that is not potty-trained to the bathroom. The other children will then read a book quietly on our circletime rug.
Another way that I solve this issue is by having the children clean up the room of their toys. We transition for our second outside time generally after or about 4:45 -5:00 pm. I then have each child take turns going to the bathroom as the others clean up.
I don't know if you could somehow split your groups so that less children are toileting at the same time using the previous tips. It may take extra trips to the bathroom, but may offer you a smoother toileting transition.
I hope this helps.
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Jennifer United States
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-13-2019 12:31 PM
From: Juliana Simons
Subject: Toileting transitions
Hi Naeyc Family I need your help.
Here our lavatories are located outside of the classroom. Myself and another coworker have both eight preschoolers to a preschool lavatory which has only two toilets. Some children take longer than others to use lavatory which causes behavior conflicts with other children waiting. I've separated my own group of eight with the boys waiting in one area and the girls in another. I've also done songs and games to help cut down on behavioral conflicts. However, my ideas hasn't been working consistently and efficiently to reduce conflict in the lavatory.
Any ideas or suggestions to help with transitioning in the lavatory to reduce conflict and tears?
Thank you!!
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Juliana Simons
Happy Valley Child Care Centre
Pembroke
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