Tips to Promote Bathing & Showering Skills for Kids

• Ease the transition by supporting the auditory (hearing) sense - the sound of turning on a faucet or shower can be startling to many children. Set up the bathing/showering environment before your child enters the bathroom by turning on the water before the child enters the bathroom - this can ease their transition into the activity without triggering their startle reflex.

• Some children do not like the sound or the feel of showers. Showers can be loud and very stimulating to the tactile system. This can be challenging for very young children or those with tactile sensory processing difficulties. Start with a warm bath and let them relax and play. Make the experience as positive as possible on a sensory level.

• Consider using a hand-held shower. This will help you be able to bathe your child while they can stay in a seated position, and they can hold it themselves and become more comfortable with the sound and flow of the water.

• Put the shower on a "soft" setting if you can adjust it - this will be a more calming tactile experience for your child.

• Consider using shower caps or visors to protect your child's eyes and ears for shampooing and rinsing hair.

• Use a mirror for fun! Kids LOVE to look at themselves and make faces in the mirror.

• Use lukewarm to warm water, which is usually comfortable for most kids. Be careful to not make water too hot!

• Sensory experience: warm water = calming while cold water = alerting! Nobody wants a cold bath, but playing with cold water or ice cubes in cups while sitting in warm water could be fun for kids and allows them to feel different temperatures, stimulating their tactile sensory systems in a fun way. Explore the differences between warmer and colder water temperatures for a fun, exploratory sensory experience with your child.

• Have fun! Add music, sing songs, use bath toys, dim the lights.

• When finished, use large, fluffy towels for drying the hair and body and identify body parts during drying (ie. head, arms, hands, legs, feet, toes). Use a full-length mirror for added visual feedback & to promote body awareness.

• Add some lotion or body oils (if ok for your particular child's skin) to your child's body for skin health, calming massage input, and nice smells.

• Have clothing or pajamas ready, to keep kids warm and cozy and ease the transition out of the bathroom and into whatever is next in your plan!

• Be patient with independence - most children do not shower independently until almost 6 years of age, & they should always be supervised in the bathroom for safety.