Is it time to teach your child to shower on their own? Here’s our guide on teaching your kid the proper way of taking a bath.
Self-care Skills: Taking a Bath
When Should Kids Take a Bath By Themselves
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Every child is different and may be ready to take a bath on their own at a different age. However, most children are able to shower independently by the time they are around seven or eight years old. At this age, they have typically developed the physical coordination and cognitive skills needed to complete the steps of taking a bath safely and effectively.
Of course, some children may be ready to shower on their own at an earlier or later age than this. It’s important to observe your child and assess their abilities and readiness before allowing them to shower on their own.
If your child seems ready to take a bath independently, you can gradually give them more responsibility and allow them to take on more of the bathing process on their own.
It’s also important to remember that taking a bath on their own is a new skill for your child and may take some time to master.
Be patient and supportive as your child learns how to shower properly, and be prepared to offer help and guidance as needed. With practice and support, your child will soon be able to shower on their own with confidence and independence.
Step by Step Guide to Taking a Bath Independently
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Here is a step-by-step guide to help you teach your child how to shower properly:
- Begin by helping your child undress and remove their clothes. Encourage them to take their time and be careful not to drop anything on the floor.
- Next, help your child step into the shower and adjust the water temperature to a comfortable level.
- Once the water is running, have your child wet their hair and body. Encourage them to use their hands to splash water on their face and rinse away any dirt or sweat.
- Next, have your child apply shampoo to their hair and lather it up. Help them scrub their scalp and rinse away the suds.
- Then, have your child apply soap to a washcloth or loofah and use it to clean their body. Encourage them to focus on areas such as their face, armpits, and feet, which tend to be the dirtiest.
- After they have thoroughly washed their body, have your child rinse off the soap and shampoo. Encourage them to use their hands to splash water on their face and rinse away any soap residue.
- Once they are clean and rinsed, have your child step out of the shower and dry off with a towel. Help them wrap the towel around their body and dry off any remaining moisture.
- Finally, have your child hang up their towel and put on clean clothes. Encourage them to put away any dirty clothes and pick up any wet towels or washcloths that may be on the floor.
Practising modesty and privacy when taking a bath
When introducing the concept of modesty and privacy when using the bathroom, it’s important to explain to children that everyone has private parts and it’s important to keep them covered and not to show or touch them in public. They may not realise that taking a bath or undressing and changing their clothes should not be done in public.
Talk to your child about why these things should be done in private. Moreover, explain to them that it’s normal to have these private parts, but it’s not appropriate to show them to others or to touch other people’s private parts.
Train your child toclose the bathroom door and pull down the window shade before using the toilet or undressing to take a bath or shower.
If you are worried about accidents happening while taking a bath, you can tell them to close the door but leave it unlocked so you can go in and help them. But you need to instruct them to lock it by the time they’re in their preteen stage.
Image Source: iStock
Taking a bath on their own may seem like a daunting task at first, but by following the steps mentioned above, you can help your child learn how to properly bathe themselves and maintain good hygiene. With practice and guidance, they will soon be able to shower on their own with confidence and independence.
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