Children Must Ask Permission To Go to the Toilet When they Need to
July 10, 2024.
Minister Seymour remembers at school having to ask to go to the toilet. “I think people have mixed views, but I turned out just fine,” Seymour said.
He does not see a problem with an early childhood centre requiring children to ask for permission if they need to use the toilet. But Ministry of Education advisors thought it did not give children agency.
READ MORE: Country Kindy, The ECC, Minister Seymour and what happened next
Seymour would like to assume power from the Ministry of Education to say what practices in ECE centres are acceptable or not, because he says people have elected him. This is “certainly something we’re looking into,” Seymour said.
Have your say on toilet use
Is it okay in any early childhood centre for children not to have the choice to use the toilet when they need to?
Would such a practice be consistent with your values?
Is it consistent with the early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki?
What if an adult holds back giving permission? (perhaps to punish or control a child?)
Source: Seymour interviewed by Heather du Plessis-Allan on 10 Jul 2024.
