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As a parent or guardian, you know your child best. We, the school staff, are here to partner with you to assist your child in reaching their highest potential. Toileting is a complex process and every child has a unique journey to toileting independence. Partnering with your child's classroom teacher, health office staff, and principal will help make the journey more positive.
Parents can help by:
Encouraging their child with praise and patience during the learning process.
Communicating with school staff about where their child is on the journey to toileting independence.
Encouraging their child to become as independent as possible with all activities of daily living such as eating, dressing, and toileting.
Reading books and talking about becoming independent with toileting.
Practicing toileting independence at home.
Ensuring a change of clothing is in your child's backpack everyday.
Being available during the school day to come to school and assist your student during their journey to toileting independence.
Your teacher may have you fill out this Toileting Questionnaire to get to know your child better:
Parent/Guardian Partnership Toileting Questionnaire
Check out this video with toileting expert Joan Morgenstern:
Toilet Mastery in the School Setting - SDUSD Webinar by Joan Morgenstern Sept. 18, 2024
Routines and schedules can help young children reach independence with toileting. Here is a sample classroom schedule. Parents and guardians are encouraged to keep toileting routines at home similar to school days. Please ask your classroom teacher about your child's daily schedule.
CA State Preschool Sample Schedule
Sample State Preschool Schedule for Reference
AM Session 7:45-10:45
7:45 Arrival, Sign In, Handwashing
7:50 Children sign in/place name on white board to create graph
Independent/small group reading time on whole group rug -use whiteboard to count, compare graphed student choices
8:00-Breakfast
8:15-Whole Group-Heggerty Second Step
8:30-Centers students called to work in specific activity, (small group) additional staff working in centers utilize the time to extend language and further development and skills
9:30- Physical Development-use this time to work on targeted gross motor skills
10:00-Read Aloud
10:25-Music and Movement
10:45 Dismissal
PM Session 11:15-2:15
11:15 Arrival, Sign In, Handwashing
11:30 Children sign in/place name on white board to create graph
Independent/small group reading time on whole group rug
11:45-Lunch
12:15-Whole Group-Heggerty Second Step
12:30- Physical Development-use this time to work on targeted gross motor skills
1:00-Read Aloud
1:15-Centers students called to work in specific activity, (small group) additional staff working in centers utilize the time to extend language and further development and skills
2:00-Music and Movement
2:15 Dismissal
Universal TK Sample Schedule
8:55 am - 9:10 am Morning Whole Group Activities
9:10 am - 9:45 am Bathroom Break
Snack/Recess
9:45 am - 11:00 am Literacy & Gross Motor Activities
11:00 am - 11:35 am Lunch/Recess
11:35 am - 11:45 am Bathroom Break
11:45 pm - 12:00 pm Read Aloud
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Centers with Small Group Activities
1:00 pm - 1:15 pm Bathroom Break
1:15 pm - 2:00 pm Recess/Outdoor Play
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Math/Science
3:00 pm - 3:25 pm Closing Activities & Dismissal
What is the definition of being toilet independent?
Comes to school in cloth underwear.
Can communicate their need to use the restroom.
Can use the toilet independently: pull down pants, use the toilet, wipe, pull up pants, flush the toilet, and wash hands.
Occasional accidents are expected as children transition to a new school environment. Parents can help their children cope with the occasional accident by practicing at home. Have the child change their clothes, practice placing soiled clothes in a plastic bag, wiping themselves, placing wipes or toilet paper in the trash, dressing themselves, and washing their hands.
For UTK's who are not fully toilet independent:
School staff in partnership with families should develop a support plan which could include:
Develop a consistent toileting schedule at school and home.
Use of a reward system or chart.
Families provide extra clothes, wipes, plastic bags, etc.
School staff should develop a three deep staffing approach to ensure the student is supported appropriately.
FAQ's
In the past, SDUSD required potty training for general education pupils in Pre-K only. A recent change in state legislation does not permit districts to deny enrollment to incoming UTKs or kindergarteners if they are not fully potty trained. Students in Pre-K, UTK, and Kindergarten are now admitted to Early Learning Programs regardless of toileting independence. Pupils with IEPs likewise cannot be denied enrollment in Pre-K or UTK.
Q: Do UTKs have to be potty-trained?
A: Although non-toileting independent students cannot be denied enrollment, SDUSD strongly urges parents to ensure their child is fully potty trained before enrolling in UTK. For some children, this is not possible and we will partner with families to help support the students' toileting journey.
Q: How can a parent request a meeting with the classroom staff?
A: Parents/guardians can reach out to school staff via email or before or after school and request to meet. Parents can talk to a teacher before or after pick up/drop off, call the school office and leave a message with front office staff, or email the teacher.
Helpful Websites:
HealthyChildren.Org - American Academy of Pediatrics
TheReadyChild.Org - Bathroom Independence
First5SanDiego.Org - Resources and Support for Parents
Books for Parents and Educators
Potty Mastery, A Child-Centered Approach to Toileting, Joan Morgenstern with Dr. Becky Bailey
Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right, Jamie Glowacki
The First-Time Parent's Guide to Potty Training: How to Ditch Diapers Fast (and for Good!), Jazmine McCoy
Success with Potty Training: No Potty Training Seat, No Pull-Ups, No Training Underwear, Beth Allen
Toilet Training in Less Than a Day, Nathan H. Azrin, Ph.D. and Richard M. Foxx, Ph.D.
Ready, Set, Potty! Toilet Training for Children with Autism and Other
Developmental Disorders, Brenda Batts
Stress-Free Potty Training, Sara AU & Peter L. Stavinoha, PH.D.
Children’s Books for Use at Home and in the Classroom
Potty Bacinica, Leslie Patricelli
Everyone Poops, Taro Gomi
Diapers are Not Forever/Los Panales No son para Siempre (English and Spanish edition), Elizabeth Verdick
A Potty for Me!, Karen Katz
Pottysaurus, Brooke Vitale
I'm A Potty Superhero, Mabel Forsyth
Potty Time with Pete the Kitty, Kimberly and James Dean
The Potty Story: Girl's Edition, Agnes Green
The Potty Story: Boy’s Edition, Agnes Green
Superstar Potty Training Book for Girls, Violet Giannone
Superstar Potty Training Book for Boys, Violet Giannone
Unicorn Potty: Learn to Potty with Unicorn, Laura Gates Galvin
Once Upon a Potty, Alona Frankel
Daniel Goes to the Potty, adapted by Maggie Testa
Daniel’s Potty Time, adapted by Alexandra Cassel Schwartz
Fiona’s Little Accident, Rosemary Wells
Clayton Parker Really Really has to Pee, Cinco Paul
Raj’s Rule (For the Bathroom at School), Lana Button
Potty Train your Dragon: How to Potty Train Your Dragon Who is Scared to Poop, Steve Herman
Dash’s Belly Ache, a book for children who can’t or won’t poop, Wendy Hayden
P is for Potty, PI Kid
Informational Podcasts:
Potty Mastery - Conscious Disciple with Joan Morgenstern
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