Handy Help for Parents & Carers

Use appropriate clothing that is easily removed, such as elasticated trousers.
Accidents will happen, so clean up the mess calmly. Never punish your child as this may make her afraid or worried.
A child’s toilet seat should be provided if the usual seat is too big.
Check daily intake of fluids (6-8 glasses a day).
Encourage regular toileting (bowels and bladder).
Be consistent- don’t tell your child to go in their nappy if you are out and about.
One in every six children are not dry at night by the time they start school. Children who wet the bed do not do it on purpose and are not naughty or lazy.

Expand language eg if your child says “phone” you could say “yes, the phone is ringing”.
Don’t ask your child to repeat words – just wait and leave a gap, and they may imitate you. The more you repeat words and phrases, the more likely they are to imitate when they are ready.
Avoid demand speech eg “say phone”.
Don’t put pressure on children to speak; they will communicate when they are ready.
Reinforce the etiquette of conversation with children who are not yet verbal through games such as peek-a boo. These games develop non-verbal conversation skills such as eye-contact, anticipation and listening. These skills are equally important to conversation as talking!
Give choices verbally, as well as offering.
Model by repeating what children say, and add a word, or expand their vocabulary. When talking with young children, remember to use verbs as well as nouns. This will really help their development of understanding of instructions. For example even with young children say “Put on your coat”, not just “coat on”.
When giving instructions to young children, show what you mean as you talk. Keep instructions short and concise.
Provide a commentary to activities, so children hear words in context and have better chance of understanding them. Children need to hear a word over 100 times in context before they fully understand it and use it appropriately.
Don’t always simplify. Children need to hear normal adult speech too!

Brush teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, one brush being last thing at night.
You should brush or help your child to brush their teeth until they are at least seven years old to make sure the teeth are cleaned properly, to supervise the amount of toothpaste used and to prevent licking or eating the toothpaste.
Brush your child’s teeth thoroughly, cleaning all surfaces of the teeth.
Choose a toothbrush with a small head and medium textured bristles, a manual or electric toothbrush can be used.
Children between three and six years old should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Encourage them to spit it out after brushing and do not let them rinse out with water as this will wash away the fluoride and reduces how well it works – spit don’t rinse.
Bottle- feeding should be phased out from 12 months old.
Only give sweet food, including dried fruits at meal times.
Avoid squashes sweetened with sugar, fizzy drinks and juice. Water is the best drink.
Always ask for sugar free medicines.
Take your child regularly to the dentist.

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