Essential Bath Time Tips

Have you found yourself hesitating during bath time? If so, you are not alone.  

Bath time is a cherished routine for many, bringing some joy, a lot of bonding, and sometimes, a bit of chaos! If you have a 1-year-old or young child, ensuring bath time is safe, engaging, and developmentally beneficial can involve some tactical balancing.  

With this in mind, we have written this guide filled with essential tips to help make the most out of bath time.  

1. Prioritising Bath time Safety  

Despite bath time being an enjoyable experience for both parents and children, it is important to be conscious of the risks and how to avoid any accidents. To minimise any possibility of risks, we advise to never leave a child unattended while in the bath, even if it is for a few seconds.  

Practical tips:  

• Keep everything you need within arm’s reach; this may involve having to reorganise your essentials before starting the bath.  
• Using a non-slip bath mat can prove to be useful in preventing any slips or falls.  
• Always check the water temperature first with either your elbow or wrist. Ideally the temperature should be warm, not hot, around 37-38 degrees. 

2. Create a Soothing Bath Experience

Bathrooms can sometimes be overwhelming for our little ones. Whether it’s the sound of running water, bright lights, or even the echoes. Creating that comfortable environment can lead to a more enjoyable experience for both of you.  

Practical tips:  

• Using a small jug to pour water over your child’s body can be a calming and relaxing experience compared to the intense shower head.  
• The ability to use soft lighting and a calm tone of voice can make your child feel more at peace.  
• Having a warm towel ready after bath time can keep your child feeling warm and comfortable.  

3. Exciting Bath Toys for 1-Year-Olds

Toys can turn a boring bath into a fun little adventure for children. Using age-appropriate toys that are safe and easy to clean can transform any bath time. Research conducted by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) highlights the important of avoiding toys which have small parts that can lead to a choking hazard, especially for children under three.  

Practical tips:  

• Invest in larger toys that are easy-to-grasp and great for development. These toys boost fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and some can aid with colour or number recognition.  
• Rotating bath toys regularly can keep bath time exciting.  
• Using toys that are easy to clean and easy to dry are ideal.  

Discover our range of bath toys for babies and young children.

4. Incorporating Learning in Bath Time

Getting your child ready for a bath can also lead to some great learning opportunities. Water play unlocks a variety of sensory developments, supporting motor skills and even language acquisition. Research from the University of Sheffield found that bath time can significantly boost a child’s cognitive and social development.  

Practical tips:  

• Some bath toys can teach basic concepts such as sinking and floating, pouring and scooping and even colours, numbers, or animals.  
• Sing songs or tell stories to engage your child and enhance their language skills.  
• Playing with active toys during bath time such as pouring and squeezing will develop their hand-eye coordination.  

5. Cleaning Bath Toys  

Many believe as bath toys are made to be in water, that they are always clean. But this is not the case. Some bath toys can accumulate harmful bacteria if not properly maintained.  

Practical tips:  

• After each bath, ensure you squeeze out any water from toys and leave them to air dry.  
• You can clean bath toys using a mixture of vinegar and water leave them to soak and then rinse and air dry, or you can run toys in the dishwasher if they are dishwasher safe.  
• Discard of any toys that show signs of mould or mildew.  

General Bath time tips for Parents 

• Scheduling in bath time at the same time each evening (if possible) can become a part of a child’s bedtime routine.  
• Having a calming activity after their bath like reading or listening to a story can signal that it is time for bed soon.  
• Staying positive and keeping the experience light-hearted can be beneficial for both of you rather than focusing on rinsing and washing.  
• Praise your little one for small wins, whether they get soap in their eye or have a little slip, praise them for overcoming it and carry on making the experience a fun one.  

Bath time can involve a lot more than just washing, it can be a space to create some fun moments and a lot of bonding experienceS. Ensure to prioritise safety, keep the environment comfortable and make a splash with the best bath toys. Early Learning Centre has over 50 years of toy expertise and bring you award-winning, high-quality preschool toys. 

As a trusted early years toy specialist, since 1974, we provide a guiding hand to support every child’s unique path of development, encouraging learning through play. Discover more sensory toys today.  

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