Everything In Order: Structures for a Children’s Bathroom

For children, everyday routines are a framework that gives them a sense of security. That applies to bedtime rituals and shared meals just as much as to using the bathroom at certain times and for certain periods of time. However, time passes differently for them than it does for adults. They haven’t yet developed a sense of how fast time passes or its units of measurement; instead, children measure time based on activities and events.

Taking the toothbrush out of the mug, covering it with toothpaste and brushing until the sand has run through the hourglass: a teeth-cleaning unit. Sitting in the bath until the water gets cold: a bathing unit. Washing your hands until there’s no foam left: a hand-washing unit (which is however often extended by the addition of more soap because the bubbles are so nice and it smells so good). A clock in the bathroom helps stick to time limits – although only if parents point it out and translate the progression of the hands into units of time. After all, it’s easy to forget the time completely when you’re sitting on the loo (and that doesn’t only go for children).