07/21/2026
Countdown to Kindergarten Tip #2
🚽 Pit Crew & Potty Playlist (Bathroom Independence)
This week focuses on the "potty sequence" (buttons, zippers, tying pant strings, wiping, flushing, and washing independently).
🏡 At-Home Activities
The Potty Playlist. Work with your child to pick a favorite 30-second song to be their official handwashing anthem. Practice the at-school routine: quickly managing clothing buttons/snaps, using the restroom, flushing, and scrubbing hands with soap until the song finishes.
The "Button-Fly" Fashion Show: Dress your child in the types of clothes they will actually wear to school (buttons, snaps, or belts). Play a fun song, and see if they can unfasten, sit down, stand up, and refasten their pants by the time the first chorus ends. If they struggle, it’s a great hint to stick to elastic waistbands for the first few months of kindergarten!
The Toilet Paper Target: Teach them that school toilet paper isn't on a giant roll like at home. Practice pulling exactly 3 or 4 squares of toilet paper while singing a quick 5-second countdown.
The "Look Before You Land" Inspection: Before your child sits down to use the restroom at home, have them give a thumbs-up or a "secret spy look" at the seat. If you want to playfully practice "cleaning up messes," intentionally sprinkle a few drops of water on the closed lid or seat beforehand. Teach them to grab a piece of toilet paper, wipe it completely clean, and throw it in the bowl before they sit down.
The Stall Door Jam: School bathrooms have privacy doors with sliding latches. Replicate this at home using a bedroom or bathroom door, or set up two chairs with a sheet. Practice having your child enter the "stall," slide the lock closed independently, and unlock it when a 10-second musical timer finishes. Teach them the rule: If the door is shut, knock first!
The "Target Practice" Trash Toss: Kindergarten floors often end up covered in wet paper towels because kids miss the trash can. Set a timer for 15 seconds. Have your child dry their hands with a paper towel, roll it into a neat ball, and walk over to place it directly into the trash can. Practice the rule: "If it misses, we pick it up right away to the beat of the song!"
The Backward-Glance Beat: Teach your child to never just walk away from a toilet. Before they open the door to leave the bathroom, they must turn around, look at the toilet, and do a 3-step mental check to the beat of a hand-clap:
Did it flush?
Is the seat dry?
Is the floor clean?
🎤 Songs to Add to Your Playlist
You can find these on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.
"The Wash Your Hands Song" by Cocomelon.
The Seat Check Song: (Sing to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It).
"Give the toilet seat a look before you sit! Give the toilet seat a look before you sit! If it's messy, clean it up, or pick another stall to use! Give the toilet seat a look before you sit!"
The Flush & Check Rhyme: (Sing to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star).
"Flush the toilet, watch it go, look around before you go. Is there paper on the floor? Did you lock the stall door? Wash your hands with soap and scrub, keep it clean for Elon Park!"
🎒 The "No Big Deal" Conversation
It is incredibly common for kindergarteners to have bathroom or lunch spills. Reassure them with a calm, matter-of-fact conversation:
"Hey, did you know that sometimes kids have accidents at school? They might not make it to the bathroom in time, or they might spill milk on their shirt. And guess what? It is totally okay! If it happens to you, you don't need to feel sad or hide it. All you have to do is walk up to the teacher, tap them on the shoulder, and whisper: 'I had an accident.' They will quietly help you get your spare clothes out of your backpack so you can change and feel comfortable again!”
