Classroom Wash and Flush Bathroom Reminders

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.

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.

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.

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 —

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