Encouraging kids to practice good bathroom behaviors is not always an easy task. But we've got some tips for you to try. Also check out our family-friendly review of "Winnie the Pooh."

Tip of the Week

Encouraging kids to practice good bathroom behaviors is not always an easy task. In fact, it's not just kids who need a reminder to wash their hands. A recent study commissioned by Delta Faucet Company revealed that one in five adults neglects to wash their hands every time they use the bathroom; even fewer parents with kids younger than 12 consistently wash their hands every time. This means it's extra important for parents to pay attention to their own habits so they are setting a good example.

Victoria Pericon, a Delta Faucet spokeswoman and editor of SavvyMommy.com, shares some tips for getting kids to follow the rules of the bathroom.

- Convenience is key: Bathroom tasks should be easy for a child to accomplish. Make sure kids have the right tools appropriate for their size and motor skills to make certain that bathroom learning is both safe and intuitive.

- Make it fun: Getting clean may not sound like fun to a tot, but there are plenty of helpful tools and toys on the market designed to make it so. Cartoon character-inspired soaps, including some that transfer a stamp to the hand when the pump is depressed, add an element of fun to the process and are designed to make certain kids don't forget to use soap when they're washing. Pericon also recommends teaching children to sing a song while they wash up to remind them to spend enough time lathering at the sink. When the song is over, it's time to rinse.

- Reward with praise: Praising children when they follow the bathroom rules, either with a hug, point system or positive comment will encourage them to continue their good behavior. It's also important to continue to reward them for washing their hands, even outside the bathroom setting, to reinforce the habit. Other opportunities to wash hands include before sitting down for a meal and after coming in from outside playtime.


Family Screening Room

“Winnie the Pooh”

Rated: G

Length: 69 minutes

Synopsis: A new adventure starring Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet and more in the Hundred Acre Woods.

Violence/scary rating: 1

Sexual-content rating: 0

Profanity rating: .5

Drugs/alcohol rating: 0

Family Time rating: 1. Classic Pooh – a tale that literally anyone in the family can enjoy.


Book Report

“Charlotte's Web” by E. B. White

Ages: 6-11

Pages: 192


Did You Know

According to a study published in Pediatrics, children younger than 16 who rode with their grandparents were less likely to be injured in an accident than if they were riding with their parents.

GateHouse News Service