How to Teach a Child to Take a Bath

Teaching a child to take a bath can be a challenge. How nice would it be to ask your child to go take a bath and never have to put down that book or magazine you are reading? Follow these simple steps and it can happen for you.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Have the child turn on the water. Point out to them that the hot water can burn. Show them how to turn on the hot water a little and the cold water a little until the temperature is comfortable for them. You can put a mark on the bath tub nozzle with a marker where the child should turn the knob so the water will be just right.

2. Teach the child to wash their hair on their own. Have them lay down in the water to get the entire head wet or pour a cup of water over their head. Then show them the right amount of shampoo to use. Make it fun and tell them to make cat claws with their fingers for scrubbing the scalp. You can make a game out of it and change the animal every time. Have them rinse their hair the same way they got it wet.

3. Have the child wash their body. Get a fun colorful soap or kid body wash and washcloth. Teach them how to "draw" all over their body with "bubbles." Then they should use their washcloth to "erase" the bubbles. Point out that bubbles like to hide in between toes and behind ears.

4. Instruct them to clean up when they are done bathing. After washing, they can play with their toys for a little bit. When it is time to get out they should pick up the tub toys. Get a hanging bag or container for the toys and have your child "put them to bed." They should also put the soap in the soap dish and hang the wash cloth over the side of the tub as well as let the water out of the tub.

5. Teach them to thoroughly dry off. They should vigorously rub the towel all over their bodies, paying particular attention to their wet hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Supervise them bathing on their own the first few times so that you can remind them of all the steps.

• Never leave a young child alone in the bath tub.