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Home » Classroom Management

Classroom Wash and Flush Bathroom Reminders

By Leslie Simpson · About 3 minutes to read this article.

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There are lots of things we can say in a day, -- but if I can give my kinders a visual reminder, clue or flat out visual direction -- I choose that option.

I find that if I can choose only to talk when its most important, then my words carry more weight.

{Annnnd, they just might be more likely to actually listen to what I'm saying and process it}

This year I updated my classroom reminders to coordinate with my bright color theme and to include a chevron background.

Classroom Routines for the Restroom - wash and flush signs to print and put in the bathroom. I love that they are free!

Reminding Students to Flush

I think teaching the classroom bathroom expected procedures is super important in kindergarten.

In fact, it's almost the very first thing I teach on the first day of school.

So, to help students remember that I expect them to tidy up the bathroom after themselves I post reminders inside the bathroom right at their rye level.

This first bathroom reminder is on the inside of the bathroom door to remind them right before they grab the door handle. It says, "remember to flush" which we all know is oh-so-important!

I like to also place this one on the back wall as a reminder for boys. Again - placement is key so I place it at eye level.

These reminders are helpful - point to them as you explain what you expect.

Here are two things I'd recommend while teaching students how to use your classroom restroom appropriately:

  1. Model grabbing "an appropriate amount" of toilet paper. For real - put it in the toilet bowl before you model flushing.
  2. Model how to flush using the handles (or buttons) that your school bathroom has. Some students will not love the sound of loud flushing toilets and it can help to identify that right away.
Classroom Routines for the Restroom - wash and flush signs to print and put in the bathroom. I love that they are free and so bright... they'll have to see it.

Reminding Students to Wash

As I write this, the Daniel Tiger song plays in my head, "flush and wash and be on your way."

Don't know what I'm referring to? See for yourself --

Catchy, right?

Well, I want students to remind themselves to wash their hands so I placed a "wash your hands" sign in multiple places around my classroom.

One is placed on the outside of the door - at eye level where they grab the doorknob and change the door signal to green (meaning the bathroom is available).

I have a few different skin tones for the image of the hand... just to make them friendly for all classrooms.

Classroom Routines for the Restroom - wash and flush signs to print and put by the sink. I love that they are free and so bright... they'll have to see it.

And one is framed above our classroom sink.

Remember - when you're modeling how to wash hands - be sure to show them how much soap to dispense.

And if you don't have a trash can that is nearby where they dry their hands with a paper towel - get one and move it closer. This is key to maintaining a clean classroom sink area.

Do these reminder signs work like magic and students automatically wash and flush every single time?

Well, no.

But they are a big help.

You can use them in your classroom too --

Download Classroom Bathroom Reminders

Do you want to know one of my secret weapons for teaching bathroom procedures?

Check out how I use a social story to teach my expectations and classroom procedures for the restroom.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More on Classroom Routines

  • Starting off the School Year Successfully
  • Building a Visual Schedule for the Morning Routine
  • Kindergartners Can Prepare their own Folders
  • Creating a System for Lost Tools
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About Leslie Simpson

Leslie is the teacher behind KindergartenWorks. She believes in teaching kinders how to be pretty incredible along with teaching them to read, write and think for themselves. She enjoys drinking hot tea, making mud pies with her three kids and sharing what she's learned with teachers.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Penny says

    July 22, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    Thanks for Sharing.

    Reply
  2. Angela Loyd says

    June 14, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    Can't wait to make my own bathroom book. I downloaded the signs and already have them posted and ready to go for the upcoming year. I don't have a bathroom in my Kindergarten class, but I think even the older students can benefit from the gentle reminders these signs will offer. Thanks so much! I would love to have matching signs that say, "Use Only 1 Paper Towel" and "Do Not Put Your Mouth ON the Fountain". (Just a little 'hint' if you ever decide to add to your pack.) 😉

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      June 15, 2014 at 11:54 pm

      Thanks Angela for taking the time to share how you're going to use them - great to hear! Thanks for sharing your ideas on turning these into hallway bathroom signs with the additional tips. Oh, how they need this too... I'll have to get creative with the images I pick.
      - Leslie

      Reply
  3. Dee says

    August 01, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    AMAZING BOOK! I just found out that in our building makeover, I will get a bathroom in my class (so excited!). I'm so glad I stumbled across this, and I will be stealing this idea to make my own! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      August 05, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      Thanks Dee - I hope you have a fantastic year!

      Reply
  4. KinderJedi says

    July 27, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    I love the idea of the bathroom book!!! THank you for the free signs....I'm going to copy them onto full size sticker paper for the bathroom!

    Reply
  5. Ashton says

    July 23, 2013 at 8:40 am

    I love your book! I am going to make one too. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Jennifer Smith-Sloane says

    July 18, 2013 at 10:49 am

    Thank you so much! I can't wait to hang these in my Applied Learning (LIfe Skills) classroom.

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      July 18, 2013 at 4:49 pm

      Wonderful to hear Jennifer. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
      - Leslie

      Reply
  7. Julie says

    July 09, 2013 at 8:59 am

    So excited to find this! I too had a problem with students messing around in the bathroom.

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      July 18, 2013 at 4:49 pm

      Julie, I hope it helps with problematic bathroom issues. I found it made the first day of school soooo much easier!
      - Leslie

      Reply
  8. Jeni says

    July 08, 2013 at 6:32 pm

    I love the bathroom book! I am very excited to introduce procedures through books this year.

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      July 18, 2013 at 4:48 pm

      Thanks Jeni!
      - Leslie

      Reply
  9. Jessica says

    June 02, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    I love this idea! I have a shared bathroom situation as well. It's the worst! You are so creative, thanks for sharing your ideas!

    ~Jessica
    Fun in PreK-1

    Reply
  10. shug says

    May 15, 2013 at 9:45 pm

    My kinder students will be sharing a bathroom with students from next door. Do you have any ideas how we can coordinate bathroom use?

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      May 16, 2013 at 3:23 pm

      This one is a toughy! I wish I had experience in this area, so I'll ask on my facebook page for you!
      - Leslie

      Reply
  11. Rebecca Atwood says

    September 30, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    This is great!

    Becky
    Lesson plans & Lattes

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      October 01, 2012 at 5:00 pm

      Thanks Becky!

      Reply
  12. Misskindergarten says

    September 30, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Obsessed!! LOL

    Reply
    • Leslie @KindergartenWorks says

      October 01, 2012 at 5:01 pm

      Thanks Hadar 😉

      Reply

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