It comes after research revealed earlier in the month that huge numbers of children are starting school ‘developmentally delayed’, including not being toilet trained or able to understand basic instructions.
The Kindred Squared study, based on a survey of 900 teachers, found 90 per cent have one child in their class who is not able to use the toilet.
ERIC ‘s Supporting Children’s Toilet Training course on 4 and 11 May (two half days) for early years professionals, teaching assistants and family support workers, provides an overview of how bowels and bladders work and covers the problems that can arise during toilet training, including best practice advice on how to manage or overcome common childhood continence problems.
Prior to Covid, research suggested children were being toilet trained at a much later age, which ERIC says is down to a number of reasons such as families leading very busy lives and being more child-led with their parenting so waiting for a child to show signs they are ready to start potty training.
The children’s bowel and bladder charity advises parents to start talking to their children about bowel habits and using the toilet early on so they have more awareness and understanding.
ERIC told Nursery World that along with the obvious benefits of children being toilet trained before starting school, other pros include less nappies being used and sent to landfill, which is better for the planet, and the reduced cost of buying nappies for families and nurseries who provide them to children in their care.
A spokesperson for the charity said, ‘Growing up during the Covid pandemic and living in lockdown has had a huge impact on children’s development in lots of key areas, but particularly potty training. Early years professionals can play such an important role in supporting children to reach their developmental milestones and establish good bladder and bowel habits for life.’
They went on to say that their training is not just aimed at practitioners with children in their care that are having issues with potty training, but also to improve their practice generally around the subject.
Practitioners interested in attending the charity’s training in May, which will be delivered virtually, can choose to attend one or both of the half days. The second half day on 11 May focuses on supporting children with additional needs.
The charity also has a number of resources for early years settings and schools available for free on its website.
- For more information and to book a place click here