Restroom during class time?

[Missjem]

I am a primary school teacher (Year 2). I don't let children visit the toilet during lessons. Would you have a problem with the rule for your child?

[Piz]

Yes I would.  If you gotta go...you gotta go.  While there may be other motives involved; the default position should be that they are telling the truth.

[David in FL]

Yes.  I would.

[Lihu]

18 minutes ago, Missjem said:

I am a primary school teacher (Year 2). I don't let children visit the toilet during lessons. Would you have a problem with the rule for your child?

Depends upon if you don't mind smelling the consequences of such a rule.

Yeah, bad rule. . .

 

[Patch]

Yeah, if the youngster says they have to go, you need to let them. Maybe they might get one over on you once in a while, but in the long run it's best to let them go.

If you think a youngster is fooling with you, have a talk with the parents. 

Another thing. Besides the obvious hygene issues that might occur, are you, your principal, and your school district prepared to handle the possibility of medical, legal issues, such as urinary, or bowel infections that your rule might cause? Diabetes?

[billchao]

I added a poll.

[iacas]

Yes, let them go. Seriously? I don't understand why this is even a question. Who would deny someone the right to go to the restroom?

Doesn't mean they get to make up the time later, though, either.

[upndown21]

Ditto what everyone else says. I would be livid if a teacher did not allow my child to go to the bathroom. If it turns into an "issue" address the parents.

[Patch]

Did we just get "punked"? 

[Golfer gal]

Do you mean during a golf lesson?

[Missjem]

6 hours ago, Golfer gal said:

Do you mean during a golf lesson?

No, just standard school lessons. I am a primary school teacher (year 2).

[iacas]

2 hours ago, Missjem said:

No, just standard school lessons. I am a primary school teacher (year 2).

This is a golf forum. It’s a reasonable assumption. You should be clearer.

My answer remains the same.

[Zekez]

22 hours ago, Missjem said:

I am a primary school teacher (Year 2). I don't let children visit the toilet during lessons. Would you have a problem with the rule for your child?

Of course I would.  If a kid has to go to the bathroom they have to go.  Would you like to be told that you can't use the restroom if you have to really go?  And will you change their clothes if they piss or shit themselves?

[colin007]

How old are year 2 kids?

I taught US public high school for 15 years. You gotta let them go.

[Missjem]

6 and 7 years old.

[dennyjones]

I believe the general consensus is quite obvious. 

On 1/19/2018 at 10:00 PM, Patch said:

Did we just get "punked"? 

 possibly.....

[RussUK]

Yes they should be allowed to go. My wife is a grammar school maths teacher and they let all pupils use the bathroom if they need to. Its usually once during the course of a lesson the school permits them to leave the class unless they have a medical exemption or are unwell.

Many (id hope all schools) allow the pupils to drink water during class to keep them hydrated so chances are they will need to spend a penny at some point. When i was at school it was breaktimes only and there were a few instances i remember, especially in year 7 (11 year olds), of a few kids who needed the loo and being denied then wetting themselves in class. That sort of humiliation stays with a child for some time.

Being able to use the toilet is a basic human right, plus trying to hold it in can lead to bladder problems and urinary infections.

[Patch]

So Missjem, after all this great advice, are you going to let the youngsters do their thing when needed?