Background: It is known that, for reasons of hygiene and/or anxiety, some first year primary school children actively choose to avoid going to the toilet whilst at school, while at the same time many young children’s...Background: It is known that, for reasons of hygiene and/or anxiety, some first year primary school children actively choose to avoid going to the toilet whilst at school, while at the same time many young children’s primary care visits are due to urinary tract and bowel problems. By this age most children can recognise the bodily signals indicating the need for a toilet visit, and can independently perform the associated routines. Aim of this study was to describe the experience of healthy 5 to 6 years old when needing and using toilets whilst at pre-school. Methods: A qualitative descriptive method was used. Seventeen children aged 5 to 6 years were interviewed. Results: Nearly all used the toilet when the need arose, but there were times during the day when their freedom to use the toilet was restricted. Most children experienced periods of waiting outside the toilet and a long wait could result in a decision to not use it. On those occasions when help was needed, it was usually necessary to shout once or more in order to attract the teacher’s attention. Some children found the toilets clean and fresh while others found them dirty and smelly. Privacy during toilet visits was desirable among the children but queue outside the toilet was a cause of worry. Conclusion: The children were mostly able to use the toilet whilst at preschool, despite the challenges to their senses and integrity and occasionally issues with the teacher’s rules. The need for privacy often had to yield to the teacher’s need to control the children or even because toilet doors and/or locks were not adapted to the children’s requirements.展开更多
It is well known that a lot of children avoid going to the toilet during school. This is mainly due to poor hygienic standards in the toilets but also due to fear and insecurity when visiting the toilet during recess....It is well known that a lot of children avoid going to the toilet during school. This is mainly due to poor hygienic standards in the toilets but also due to fear and insecurity when visiting the toilet during recess. Studies show that children are not always allowed to go to the toilet during class and that many teachers decide when the children may satisfy their toilet needs. The purpose of this study was to describe teacher＇s attitudes and strategies when schoolchildren need to go to the toilet. Interviews with 17 teachers working in five Swedish compulsory schools. The teacher＇s attitudes were that the physiological need or children＇s will should determine when they could go to the toilet and that children have different toilet needs. All teachers used rules to regulate toilet visits during class. The rules were not communicated and required the interpretation of the children. The teachers demanded openness and information about the toilet needs of the children. Suspected misuse of toilet visits led the teacher to make their own assessment of the children＇s toilet needs, as a sanction toilet visits could be prohibited. The strategies used during class did not reflect the health-promoting attitude the teachers told about. In reality, the task of maintaining order and control was prioritised. The strategies used were not adapted to children＇s needs, which could have significance for maintaining toilet habits consistent with health and well-being.展开更多
文摘Background: It is known that, for reasons of hygiene and/or anxiety, some first year primary school children actively choose to avoid going to the toilet whilst at school, while at the same time many young children’s primary care visits are due to urinary tract and bowel problems. By this age most children can recognise the bodily signals indicating the need for a toilet visit, and can independently perform the associated routines. Aim of this study was to describe the experience of healthy 5 to 6 years old when needing and using toilets whilst at pre-school. Methods: A qualitative descriptive method was used. Seventeen children aged 5 to 6 years were interviewed. Results: Nearly all used the toilet when the need arose, but there were times during the day when their freedom to use the toilet was restricted. Most children experienced periods of waiting outside the toilet and a long wait could result in a decision to not use it. On those occasions when help was needed, it was usually necessary to shout once or more in order to attract the teacher’s attention. Some children found the toilets clean and fresh while others found them dirty and smelly. Privacy during toilet visits was desirable among the children but queue outside the toilet was a cause of worry. Conclusion: The children were mostly able to use the toilet whilst at preschool, despite the challenges to their senses and integrity and occasionally issues with the teacher’s rules. The need for privacy often had to yield to the teacher’s need to control the children or even because toilet doors and/or locks were not adapted to the children’s requirements.
文摘It is well known that a lot of children avoid going to the toilet during school. This is mainly due to poor hygienic standards in the toilets but also due to fear and insecurity when visiting the toilet during recess. Studies show that children are not always allowed to go to the toilet during class and that many teachers decide when the children may satisfy their toilet needs. The purpose of this study was to describe teacher＇s attitudes and strategies when schoolchildren need to go to the toilet. Interviews with 17 teachers working in five Swedish compulsory schools. The teacher＇s attitudes were that the physiological need or children＇s will should determine when they could go to the toilet and that children have different toilet needs. All teachers used rules to regulate toilet visits during class. The rules were not communicated and required the interpretation of the children. The teachers demanded openness and information about the toilet needs of the children. Suspected misuse of toilet visits led the teacher to make their own assessment of the children＇s toilet needs, as a sanction toilet visits could be prohibited. The strategies used during class did not reflect the health-promoting attitude the teachers told about. In reality, the task of maintaining order and control was prioritised. The strategies used were not adapted to children＇s needs, which could have significance for maintaining toilet habits consistent with health and well-being.
