At What Age Is It Appropriate for a Child to Start Taking Showers?

Most children take baths while they are young so that they can splash and play while getting clean at the same time. As your child gets older, he might want to have more privacy while getting dressed or bathing. Showering is safer than bathing since the risk of drowning isn't as high. All children mature at different rates, and the age that your child is ready to transition from bathing to shower depends on preparation and readiness, but the Raising Children Network recommends not leaving any child under 5 unattended in the bath or shower.

  1. Practice

    • Practice showering with your child before sending him off on his own. You don't have to be in the shower with him, but take him through the process to ensure that he does a thorough job. Help him wash his hair and scrub his body, including the genital area, under his arms and in between his fingers and toes. Some children have an independent streak and ask to shower alone as young as 4 or 5, while some others might prefer to wait until 9 or 10.

    Safety

    • Showers get slippery once the water starts running. Purchase a non-slip mat that covers the majority of the shower floor for your child to stand on if you don't already have one. Keep a towel or bath rug outside the shower for her to stand on to dry off when she is done. Put razors up where your child won't be tempted to try them out while not supervised. Ensure that your child knows the difference between hot and cold and consider turning down the temperature on your water heater.

    Appropriate Sized Items

    • Buy soap, shampoo and conditioner that are appropriate for your child's size. Small bottles are easier to handle and less likely to be dropped. Buy natural products or ones for sensitive skin or eyes. Use a loofah and body wash instead of a bar of soap so he doesn't spend half the time trying to retrieve it. Smaller items also lead to less waste if he dumps it out.

    Be Available and Set a Timer

    • Playing in the water can be fun, but you might notice a skyrocketing bill once your child starts dictating when her showers start and end. Set a timer to let her know when it's time to get out if she seems to take longer than necessary. Stay close by at first in case she needs help with something while she adjusts to showering independently.

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