Potties and Toilet Paper

I know that there’s always room to learn and I have not “seen it all,” but I have seen a bit. From what I have seen, I quickly learned many things. I know that when high school students “go to the bathroom,” it’s really code for grabbing a snack and soda from the machines. I know that you can’t fool children of any age. I also know that you should keep anything involving toilet paper away from two year olds unless you plan to clean up a mess.

There is a certain fascination children have with the potty. Whenever you are going through the potty training process with a child, keep an eye on their interest. Are they happy that they used the potty? Probably, but I assume most of their excitement comes from your praise. Do they get excited with the clean-up process? I don’t think anyone is excited about that part. Are they interested in the potty functioning? Most definitely; the flushing and watching the water swirling down the pipe never ceases to amaze them. If you are lucky, you will meet a child who is interested in the potty the entire time of usage! Those are the fun ones.

One of my students – we’ll call him Paco for the sake of privacy and legalities – had always been an energetic handful. He hit the initial stage of potty training (showing interest in the potty) and did he surprise us all. The very first time at the potty, he spent a few seconds inspecting the toilet. Paco must have been mesmerized by the sparkling water or just really thirsty, because, in no time at all, he bent down, elbows deep in water, and began drinking from the toilet. When he began using the potty, number two to be direct, Paco would stand and watch his masterpiece. We had to be watchful, because several times he had tried to preserve his hard work by grabbing it to put in his pockets and “save for later.” As he progressed, Paco became interested in the toilet paper and the cleaning process. My coworker –feeling confident in the fact that Paco was next to her and, if he were to try anything, she was able to react quickly – had decided to help another child wash her hands. When she turned back to Paco, she found the toilet water had been completely absorbed by the insurmountable amount of toilet paper left in the bowl. Yes, Paco was one of the students interested in the entire potty training experience…before, during and after potty use.

…swirl on by February 20th.