How to Teach Child Safety in Public Bathrooms
"Don't touch that! Oh, don't touch that either!" Sound familiar? Many parents get stressed when they tote tots into a public restroom, and with good reason. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' HealthyChildren.org, studies of public restroom hygiene show that most people do not thoroughly wash their hands after using the facilities. Beyond germs, other dangers lurk in the loo as well.
Instructions
Prepare a potty pep talk. Before you enter the public restroom with your kiddos, tell them what you expect from them behavior wise. As child development experts at the Kids Health website rightly note, children cannot follow rules if they don't know what they are. In this case, your rules are intended to keep them safe. "Please do not put your hands on the toilet seat. No running. Stay with Mommy at all times." Have a business plan. If you have little children, you will take them into the stall with you. Let them know they must stay with you so you can keep an eye on them. To ensure you don't incur any escapees, keep kids engaged. As HealthyChildren.org notes, distracting a toddler from bad behavior can be an effective tool. Prompt your pewee to show you how he can count to 10 while you take care of business. Ask him to sing you a song or tell you about a new friend from school. Now he won't have time to consider crawling out from underneath the door. Meanwhile, older children might be in another stall out of sight, so be sure to check in often verbally, "You okay?" Discuss stranger danger. If your older child will be going into a public bathroom on his own, instruct him not to talk to strangers. He should stick to the business at hand -- using the facilities and getting back outside to you. As the Kids Health website points out, kids should also trust their instincts. If an adult your child doesn't know is talking to him in a way that makes him uncomfortable, he should leave immediately and come to get you for help. Lend a hand. Washing hands is the best way to stop the spread of germs, according to HealthyChildren.org. Children should always wash their hands after using the bathroom to protect themselves against infections. Show your small ones how to properly lather up using soap and water. This process should take between 10 and 15 seconds. Don't forget to instruct your little one not to touch any bathroom surfaces post-hand wash.