“Mum, I’m finished!”  calls out your child from the toilet, waiting for you to wipe for them.... one of the less joyful parenting tasks. Some of you might even wonder if the day will every come when you no longer will need to wipe your child’s bottom or ask your child if they have wiped properly.

At what age does a child typically have the skills for wiping themselves?

Most children start the process of ‘toileting’ between the ages of 18 months and 3 years. Around 3 years a child typically should be able to sit him/herself on the toilet, however, will still need help with wiping. Between 4 to 5 years of age, a typically developed child can independently complete toileting tasks, including tearing toilet paper, wiping, flushing, managing clothing and washing their hands.

Activity ideas:

Here are some fun activities you can do to practice the process of wiping outside the bathroom:

Hidden pictures:

  1. Draw/print a picture on a piece of paper and then cover it with shaving cream or toothpaste.
  2. Place the picture in front of them let them wipe the shaving cream/toothpaste from top to bottom using toilet paper to reveal the picture underneath. Continue wiping until the full picture is revealed.
  3. Next place the picture behind them (you are holding it to face them) and ask them to wipe it bottom to top.
  4. Next tape it to the back of a chair and let them wipe bottom to top.
  5. Sick it under the chair towards their dominant hand and let them wipe bottom to top.

Toy practice:

  1. Wrap Clingwrap around the favourite stuffed toy or use a plastic doll / action figurine.  
  2. Smear a substance like shaving cream, paint, toothpaste, Vegemite on the Clingwrap / plastic doll.
  3. Let child wipe it off moving bottom to top.

If the child is going well with a toy, you could even try this game using clingwrap on the child.  You can give the child a handheld mirror or use a standing mirror for them to see if anything is left after wiping.

Balloon “bottoms”:

Tape two balloons to the back of a chair and let them practice wiping between the two balloons.

If you have any concerns about your child’ ability to wipe or for any toileting questions, our Occupational Therapists here at Hanrahan Health can help.

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