Most young kids LOVE bath time.
But there seems to always be a season that each child will act like traumatized cats when you try and de-stink them.
Many times, these issues arise from a sensory need or aversion.
For two years, my son, who has Sensory Processing Disorder, would become violent and panic when he knew it was bath time.
Here’s a couple ideas to help make bath time equal fun time.
Try Varying Levels of Water
My son has vestibular (inner ear) issues that cause him to lack balance control. When he was small and extra flubby, too much water in the tub would make him feel buoyant and out of control. When I drained the tub to practically a puddle, he had so much more confidence.
P.S. If your child also hates to swim, I’ve got an entire post about helping sensory kids learn to swim. It might make bath time more enjoyable too!
Consider Personal Preferences
Give your child as much control in this situation as you can. Let me pick the water temperature, even if you think it’s too cold. When you’re at the store, let them choose a soap that smells good to them.
Keep in mind lower lighting and even distractions like an audio MIGHT help ease your child’s fears.
If you’re struggling to have you child communicate their needs to you, try roll playing bath time with a doll. That will help you child let their own guard down since they know it’s not their bath time.
Turn the Faucet Off
When a tub is filling up, it can be awfully loud. All that noise can be disorienting, especially to kids with SPD. I noticed a lot less trepidation in my son when the noise level was at a minimum.
Use Different Methods for Rinsing the Head
The most agonizing part of bathing for most kids is getting their heads wet. I think it’s a combination of two things: fearing getting water/soap in their eyes and feeling dizzy when their heads are in odd positions.
If the head position is an issue, you can try leaning the head forward while they cover their eyes with a towel. Occasionally, laying them flat on their backs (with a very low water level) so they feel more stable can help.
If getting soap in their eyes is their biggest fear, keep a wash cloth over their eyes and a dry towel on hand for the minor spills. Goggles are another option.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t just one thing that made bath time easier for us. There was a lot of trial, error and prayer. Keep your voice as calm as possible, even when things veer from the plan.
Please share your tips for an enjoyable bath time with kids in the comments below! Let’s help each other out!
Have more questions??? Check out this wildly popular series of Sensory FAQs and become a more confident sensory parent today!
Julie is a frazzled mom of three tornadoes. As a dorky second-generation homeschooler, she writes about learning and play, natural living, special needs parenting and matters of the heart. She serves an astounding God that radically saved her. Follow My Mundane and Miraculous Life through social media!
Kendall says
Bath time was a nightmare for my daughter from the time she was 12 months four years old when we finally found something that helped her…silicone ear plugs. We purchased Putty Buddies and it was a game changer. Now she will hold a wash cloth over her eyes, tip her head back slightly while I place one hand at her hair line to keep the water off her face as much as possible, and pour water from a big cup over her hair. We had tried visors, leaning back, putting stickers on the ceiling, leaning forward, etc but she wasn’t able to articulate that water in/near/over her ears was as big a problem as water on her face.
Julie says
That’s a REALLY good idea! I’ll have to try that with my son!
Jessica Summers says
My son is currently going through a shower phase. Hes only 2 but was very upset in the tub, as soon as he switched to showers almost all the fighting stopped
Paige says
My son is 6 with SPD. His kindergarten
Class has a play they are practicing
Which is in April. He says he doesn’t
Want to do it and has a lot of anxiety.
He doesn’t want to go to school or
Music class because of it. Do
Children with SPD have a fear of
Being up on stage and saying a line?
What can I do? What words of
Encouragement can I give him?
Should he have to do this?
Destiny says
What helped us was putting my son’s favorite bath time songs, there’s one from cocomelon and one from super simple songs that he loves. He would follow along and scrub whichever part of the body they were singing about. Maybe it made it more fun for him. But it used to be awful we used to feel defeated and helpless too, and wondering if he would ever be able to take showers on his own. He’s still not completely independent but he allows us to shower him now and even helps out! Huge progress!
Julie says
That’s a great idea! Helps to calm his fight or flight response. I occasionally let me young kids watch a cartoon on the tablet at bathtime too. Since screen time was rare, it was a distracting treat!