Teacher Shows Kids How To Correctly Wipe Their Butts And People Are Saying It’s What Every School Should Teach
Interview With Expert
There are some topics that are very important, but most of us are too embarrassed to discuss. Even if our health and happiness depend on it.
Do you know what’s important and stays with you from your early childhood to the end of your days? Knowing how to wipe your butt after going for a Number 2. But before you go running off to some other article that’s not talking about DooDoo and CaCa, hear us out: a teacher went viral on the internet after using balloons to teach her preschool students how to wipe their behinds.
Read on for Bored Panda’s interview with potty training guru and children’s behavioral expert Amanda Jenner about the topic.
The video where a teacher uses balloons to show kids how to wipe went viral
Image credits: gnuman1979
Image credits: gnuman1979
Image credits: gnuman1979
The creative and innovative unnamed teacher showed kids how to wipe front-to-back (and not back-to-front), fold the paper, and wipe again. The balloons were a perfect way to illustrate how to do this in practical terms.
When the video was posted online, it went off the rails: when one person shared it on Twitter, the clip got over 165,000 likes and was retweeted 48,300 times. Plenty of American Twitter users exclaimed that lessons like this would be invaluable in US schools. However, there were plenty of offended people as well — they thought that lessons such as wiping one’s buttocks were best left for parents to teach at home.
Children’s behavioral expert and potty training guru extraordinaire Amanda Jenner shared with Bored Panda her opinion about the teacher showing her students proper restroom etiquette: “I think it’s very important for the parents to teach this at home initially, but this does take little ones a while to get this right.”
“I see no harm in a teacher demonstrating in the way this particular teacher has done. Children really adapt to visual demonstrations and I also think this is giving the message that we can talk openly about our bodily functions and not to be ashamed about it.”
Jenner also shared with us what she wished every parent would know about potty training. “Firstly, that every parent will compare their child and this is where the mistakes begin, each child will develop at a different rate. Also, potty training does take time and patience and being prepared yourself as a parent is just as important as the child. Most of all, keep it fun and consistent!”
The potty training expert highlighted that our attitudes towards the restroom have changed over time. “I think many years ago the restroom wasn’t as much as an emotive subject. I think because resources have dramatically changed and improved over the years, there were many poorer conditions and we had to make do.”
“Nowadays, we find it very difficult to openly discuss any toilet-related problems, and when it comes to teaching our children, it becomes more difficult as they pick up on everything, which in turn is delaying children being potty trained and the age has hugely increased.”
You can watch the full clip here
We don’t teach essential skills in American schools. pic.twitter.com/OnKwolhKVY
— jamie (@gnuman1979) October 10, 2019
Wiping your behind with toilet paper is far from the healthiest or cleanest thing you can do, according to scientists and BBC Future. In the West, the fact that we overwhelmingly use toilet paper instead of water to clean ourselves is an indication of the influence the United Kingdom and the United States have, rather than ‘proof’ that it’s more hygienic than the available alternatives.
According to BBC Future, the vast majority of the world uses water to clean themselves after [ahem] evacuating their bowels. Or, in the words of Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef during a recent performance in the UK, “I don’t get it: you guys are one of the most advanced countries in the world. But when it comes to the behind, you’re behind.”
“The penchant in many Western countries for wiping after using the toilet – rather than rinsing off – is a source of puzzlement around the world, writes Christine Ro on BBC Future. “Water cleans more neatly than paper: at the risk of inspiring an “ew!”, imagine trying to remove chocolate pudding from your skin with tissue alone. Plus, while toilet tissue may not be as harsh as pieces of ceramic (used by ancient Greeks) or corn cobs (used by colonial Americans), we can all agree that water is less abrasive than even the softest five-ply.”
So, dear Pandas, what do you think of teachers showing their students proper bathroom etiquette? Do you think that water is better than paper? What other thoughts do you have on this topic? Share your ideas in the comments.
People’s opinions were divided on this subject
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I'm surprised by this as well. What do you teach your children at home? Nothing but Fortnite?
Some parents won't even do it right. Incorrect wiping is the main cause of urinary infections in women.
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It's sad to say, but when I first came in to my step son's life at the age of 3, he didn't know how to properly wipe.. I think it should be taught even though it should be already at home.
I think most 3 year-olds are pretty s**t at wiping, and boys especially don’t seem to be that bothered. He’ll be okay, especially since he appears to have a very loving step-parent in his life.
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You can teach little kids at home all you want. Until they are older it just doesn't click. The visuals can only help.
I wish America used the same Bidets as Japan. People think it is strange, but go rub some jelly or chocolate syrup on your hairy arm...now wipe it off with a dry paper towel. Feel clean? Some water would probably help right?
I feel you. Idk why people think bidets are strange
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Parents should be teaching it at home but having it reinforced at school can't hurt. And the balloon's make it fun. I 100% agree that cleaning with water is better and it's unfortunate that it's not more common in the west,
Chances are, while it is taught at home, this teacher has been asked a few too many times, by her students, to help them in the bathroom. Or, she may have noticed (smelled/seen) evidence of it not being done properly. Clean butts rock!!!!
The problem is, many parents don't teach kids how to wipe their butts! So they go through life, with a smelly butt, and never even put their hands or a washcloth back their to wash the area properly. They think the kids will just know how to do it! Sad "butt" true... as a former nurse, I've seen it all!
Oh my god 🤦♀️People, what's the problem here, the kids were probably taught at their homes but now they are at school and this is the best way the teacher solved a problem the kids are not very well skilled with that and what can she do? Wipe them by herself? No, she found great way how to show them how to do it correctly. It is better than have full class if badly wiped kids with dirty pants, isn't it? I think it is great idea.
Great, from now on I just see butts everytime I see two balloons tied together... Thanks! Seriously though, it's a clever idea!
Preschoolers already see butts when they see two balloons tied together.
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I don't remember how I learned this, so I honestly can't comment on what's best in that scenario. However, I totally think that bidets should be more common in the west and I don't understand why they aren't besides maybe cost?
Yes this is something parents should teach but we know not all parents are equal so better some redundancy in a child's education than missing important basics. My mother thought making fun of me by calling me "Poopstain" was an effective training aid. Let me be the first to tell you, it was not. I didn't know about front to back until a doctor advised me after being diagnosed with a UTI.
Strange that say that. I have 2 sisters, so I knew about this front-to-back since...like forever. A had to teach this to my girlfriend at 26 (now my wife) :)
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For those who wonder if parents should be teaching this. The answer is yes. However, there are many 'parents' that aren't. There are many kids who will end up in the system and will not bring these most basic of skills with them. Then they are the ones that are most difficult to place. There are unfortunate kids out there who do not know the basics of food or hygiene. Great for kids who already know basics, but filling a few knowledge gaps with a ten minute lesson is kind, not stupid.
This is one of many things that should be taught at home, but aren't ! So if parents don't do teach these kinds of things, then someone else has to. Good on her! I think this is great!
Yes it should be taught at home, but sadly many parents nowadays believe schools/ preschool should be the ones to teach their children everything- from potty training, getting dressed, talking and eating using a knife and fork! So schools have no choice but to take on teaching these life skills that used to be (I'm not saying all parents now don't but a growing number don't) taught at home. When I taught in reception (age 4-5) 10 years ago all children were out of nappies, walked to and from school, didn't have a dummy and could talk. My friend who is a reception teacher has 5 out of 22 kids who arrived this year at age 4-5 still in nappies (no medical need either just laziness in parents behalf) a few still have a dummy and were in a pushchair for getting to and from school (again no medical need for this, just laziness in the parents behalf) and 1/4 couldnt undress themselves for PE or use a knife and fork. So these skills are having to be taught be teachers.
It's unfortunate that too many parents don't have the time or take the time for this. Too many kids are raised by nannies and pre-school.
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People think this starts at home, and it does. However it doesnt have to stop there. I've dealt with young adults that were never taught proper hygiene.
I'm now imagining what might have happened to that poor teacher to have inspired her to come up with a child-friendly way of demonstrating appropriate butt cleaning techniques to her students.
Wait you’re suppose to wipe? And so people in other parts of the would splash toilet water on their a*****e or dunk their butts in toilets?? Idk seems even dirtier
For younger children the problem is their arms simply aren't long enough to reach to clean properly. To test this the child needs to put their arm over their head and put the palm flat over the opposite ear.
Yea, I go to collage so it'd be weird if they tought us that. But shure, I think it should be tought in most schools.
The comments in the article about using water are all very well, but you need the extra plumbing to do it, unless there are toilet/bidets that I'm not aware of. There's certainly no room in our teeny bathroom for another chunk of porcelain and piping
I don't understand the issue here?? It's just reinforcement. Parents potty train their little ones and the teacher does this to reinforce the training. Where is the problem?
I think this is a great idea. Most people need to be taught at least three times and in three different ways before an idea or skill will properly get absorbed. This is cute, funny, and super useful! I might not have had such a positive reaction to it, or known that it was something that needed teaching, but I read about a man who had literally never, ever touched his a**s because he thought that was "gay." A man in his twenties, at the doctor's because he couldn't deal "with the itching anymore." *shudder*
And think of the millions of children that have died from not wiping their a*s correctly? Think of all the dirty underwear that Mom's have to clean?! Think of all the BS about nothing on this channel and stupid article. Oh, my a*s is itchie and scratchie - I'm gonna go wipe it or take a shower.
It is a really creative way to teach kids to take care of their bodies. But understand: this teacher has to to do this because the parents DON'T. I worked at a private school where the after school yard duty person was a parent. The year before the youngest started Kindergarten in my class, she would often bring her then 4-year-old son. One day I could hear him yelling out the bathroom window, telling Mom he was ready for him to wipe his butt. She was slightly shocked that I went to her and said he needed to learn to do that before he went to school. She hadn't even thought about it! I know parenting is hard, as a long-time teacher, I honestly don't know how parents do it 24/7. But I do expect some basics, and this is one of them. For God's sake. This isn't even a social skill -- it ranks right up there with being able to pull a shirt over your head or put your own shoes on. I AM NOT A BABYSITTER, I AM AN EDUCATOR. I am so ANTI-THIS.
Nice, but why in the f**k aren't their parent's teaching them that s**t?
This is the parents job, way before your kids go to school. School is for reading, writing and arithmetic.
Teacher should have taught the kids how to use soap and water instead of toilet paper just like, you know, civilized people.
This should be taught at home, not the classroom. Stick to the Three R’s
This is why I have a bidet. You feel super clean after using one. I still use TP to dry off, as the 'fan' doesn't work very well. I think bidets are finally catching on in this country. One of the 2 we have heats the water, which is lovely, the other one doesn't. But you can control the spray, so you don't shock yourself off the toilet when the cold water hits. Either way, it's soothing, and you can forget staining your underwear!
I suspect the teacher detected a NEED and addressed it. Sure wish the PILGRIMS would get their heads out of their butts and consider the reality of teaching young kids.
My husband had to teach his nephew how to do it as his mother would have done it for him forever. Not kidding.
I doubt he would be in college having mommy wiping his butt.
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Other things they don’t teach some people-you can flush more than once while you are sitting on the toilet. It’s a great way to not clog a toilet. It took me a while to figure out why the toilet kept overflowing after my husband moved in.
You are only supposed to flush the toilet with the lid down. Otherwise germs spray everywhere. I do not want those germs on my "area".
Load More Replies... While I find this adorable, I still wonder if this is not something that should be told by parents, or at least where parents should work hand-in-hand with the kindergarten teachers...
Of course! Parents no longer teach their kids anything. Just buy them the latest and greatest electronic gizmo to keep them out of their hair!!! Teachers deserve much more money than they get!!!
Because they're children who are probably still being potty trained...
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I'm surprised by this as well. What do you teach your children at home? Nothing but Fortnite?
Some parents won't even do it right. Incorrect wiping is the main cause of urinary infections in women.
Load More Replies... It's sad to say, but when I first came in to my step son's life at the age of 3, he didn't know how to properly wipe.. I think it should be taught even though it should be already at home.
I think most 3 year-olds are pretty s**t at wiping, and boys especially don’t seem to be that bothered. He’ll be okay, especially since he appears to have a very loving step-parent in his life.
Load More Replies... You can teach little kids at home all you want. Until they are older it just doesn't click. The visuals can only help.
I wish America used the same Bidets as Japan. People think it is strange, but go rub some jelly or chocolate syrup on your hairy arm...now wipe it off with a dry paper towel. Feel clean? Some water would probably help right?
I feel you. Idk why people think bidets are strange
Load More Replies... Parents should be teaching it at home but having it reinforced at school can't hurt. And the balloon's make it fun. I 100% agree that cleaning with water is better and it's unfortunate that it's not more common in the west,
Chances are, while it is taught at home, this teacher has been asked a few too many times, by her students, to help them in the bathroom. Or, she may have noticed (smelled/seen) evidence of it not being done properly. Clean butts rock!!!!
The problem is, many parents don't teach kids how to wipe their butts! So they go through life, with a smelly butt, and never even put their hands or a washcloth back their to wash the area properly. They think the kids will just know how to do it! Sad "butt" true... as a former nurse, I've seen it all!
Oh my god 🤦♀️People, what's the problem here, the kids were probably taught at their homes but now they are at school and this is the best way the teacher solved a problem the kids are not very well skilled with that and what can she do? Wipe them by herself? No, she found great way how to show them how to do it correctly. It is better than have full class if badly wiped kids with dirty pants, isn't it? I think it is great idea.
Great, from now on I just see butts everytime I see two balloons tied together... Thanks! Seriously though, it's a clever idea!
Preschoolers already see butts when they see two balloons tied together.
Load More Replies... I don't remember how I learned this, so I honestly can't comment on what's best in that scenario. However, I totally think that bidets should be more common in the west and I don't understand why they aren't besides maybe cost?
Yes this is something parents should teach but we know not all parents are equal so better some redundancy in a child's education than missing important basics. My mother thought making fun of me by calling me "Poopstain" was an effective training aid. Let me be the first to tell you, it was not. I didn't know about front to back until a doctor advised me after being diagnosed with a UTI.
Strange that say that. I have 2 sisters, so I knew about this front-to-back since...like forever. A had to teach this to my girlfriend at 26 (now my wife) :)
Load More Replies... For those who wonder if parents should be teaching this. The answer is yes. However, there are many 'parents' that aren't. There are many kids who will end up in the system and will not bring these most basic of skills with them. Then they are the ones that are most difficult to place. There are unfortunate kids out there who do not know the basics of food or hygiene. Great for kids who already know basics, but filling a few knowledge gaps with a ten minute lesson is kind, not stupid.
This is one of many things that should be taught at home, but aren't ! So if parents don't do teach these kinds of things, then someone else has to. Good on her! I think this is great!
Yes it should be taught at home, but sadly many parents nowadays believe schools/ preschool should be the ones to teach their children everything- from potty training, getting dressed, talking and eating using a knife and fork! So schools have no choice but to take on teaching these life skills that used to be (I'm not saying all parents now don't but a growing number don't) taught at home. When I taught in reception (age 4-5) 10 years ago all children were out of nappies, walked to and from school, didn't have a dummy and could talk. My friend who is a reception teacher has 5 out of 22 kids who arrived this year at age 4-5 still in nappies (no medical need either just laziness in parents behalf) a few still have a dummy and were in a pushchair for getting to and from school (again no medical need for this, just laziness in the parents behalf) and 1/4 couldnt undress themselves for PE or use a knife and fork. So these skills are having to be taught be teachers.
It's unfortunate that too many parents don't have the time or take the time for this. Too many kids are raised by nannies and pre-school.
Load More Replies... People think this starts at home, and it does. However it doesnt have to stop there. I've dealt with young adults that were never taught proper hygiene.
I'm now imagining what might have happened to that poor teacher to have inspired her to come up with a child-friendly way of demonstrating appropriate butt cleaning techniques to her students.
Wait you’re suppose to wipe? And so people in other parts of the would splash toilet water on their a*****e or dunk their butts in toilets?? Idk seems even dirtier
For younger children the problem is their arms simply aren't long enough to reach to clean properly. To test this the child needs to put their arm over their head and put the palm flat over the opposite ear.
Yea, I go to collage so it'd be weird if they tought us that. But shure, I think it should be tought in most schools.
The comments in the article about using water are all very well, but you need the extra plumbing to do it, unless there are toilet/bidets that I'm not aware of. There's certainly no room in our teeny bathroom for another chunk of porcelain and piping
I don't understand the issue here?? It's just reinforcement. Parents potty train their little ones and the teacher does this to reinforce the training. Where is the problem?
I think this is a great idea. Most people need to be taught at least three times and in three different ways before an idea or skill will properly get absorbed. This is cute, funny, and super useful! I might not have had such a positive reaction to it, or known that it was something that needed teaching, but I read about a man who had literally never, ever touched his a**s because he thought that was "gay." A man in his twenties, at the doctor's because he couldn't deal "with the itching anymore." *shudder*
And think of the millions of children that have died from not wiping their a*s correctly? Think of all the dirty underwear that Mom's have to clean?! Think of all the BS about nothing on this channel and stupid article. Oh, my a*s is itchie and scratchie - I'm gonna go wipe it or take a shower.
It is a really creative way to teach kids to take care of their bodies. But understand: this teacher has to to do this because the parents DON'T. I worked at a private school where the after school yard duty person was a parent. The year before the youngest started Kindergarten in my class, she would often bring her then 4-year-old son. One day I could hear him yelling out the bathroom window, telling Mom he was ready for him to wipe his butt. She was slightly shocked that I went to her and said he needed to learn to do that before he went to school. She hadn't even thought about it! I know parenting is hard, as a long-time teacher, I honestly don't know how parents do it 24/7. But I do expect some basics, and this is one of them. For God's sake. This isn't even a social skill -- it ranks right up there with being able to pull a shirt over your head or put your own shoes on. I AM NOT A BABYSITTER, I AM AN EDUCATOR. I am so ANTI-THIS.
Nice, but why in the f**k aren't their parent's teaching them that s**t?
This is the parents job, way before your kids go to school. School is for reading, writing and arithmetic.
Teacher should have taught the kids how to use soap and water instead of toilet paper just like, you know, civilized people.
This should be taught at home, not the classroom. Stick to the Three R’s
This is why I have a bidet. You feel super clean after using one. I still use TP to dry off, as the 'fan' doesn't work very well. I think bidets are finally catching on in this country. One of the 2 we have heats the water, which is lovely, the other one doesn't. But you can control the spray, so you don't shock yourself off the toilet when the cold water hits. Either way, it's soothing, and you can forget staining your underwear!
I suspect the teacher detected a NEED and addressed it. Sure wish the PILGRIMS would get their heads out of their butts and consider the reality of teaching young kids.
My husband had to teach his nephew how to do it as his mother would have done it for him forever. Not kidding.
I doubt he would be in college having mommy wiping his butt.
Load More Replies... Other things they don’t teach some people-you can flush more than once while you are sitting on the toilet. It’s a great way to not clog a toilet. It took me a while to figure out why the toilet kept overflowing after my husband moved in.
You are only supposed to flush the toilet with the lid down. Otherwise germs spray everywhere. I do not want those germs on my "area".
Load More Replies... While I find this adorable, I still wonder if this is not something that should be told by parents, or at least where parents should work hand-in-hand with the kindergarten teachers...
Of course! Parents no longer teach their kids anything. Just buy them the latest and greatest electronic gizmo to keep them out of their hair!!! Teachers deserve much more money than they get!!!
Because they're children who are probably still being potty trained...
Load More Replies... 
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