A Houston parent is expressing her concerns about a troubling policy at her children’s elementary school. Jessica Thompson, a mother of two, recently discovered that her elementary-aged kids must “earn” bathroom passes in order to use the restroom. Despite having obtained doctor’s notes in the past to exempt her children from this practice, she was alarmed to find two of these passes in her sixth grader’s binder this week. She shared her frustration with local news outlet ABC 13, stating that she is “exasperated” with the notion that her children need to earn permission for what she considers a natural bodily function.
Is it Justifiable?
Is it justifiable to impose such a requirement on young students? The school district defends the policy, claiming that the restroom and drink of water coupons are incentives designed by teachers to motivate students and encourage them to maximize their instructional time. They argue that this approach instills time management skills and teaches children how to plan their daily activities.
While time management is undoubtedly an important skill, I find it concerning to think of elementary school-aged children facing restrictions on their bathroom usage. Transitioning to being away from home all day is already a significant adjustment for young kids, and asking them to hold their needs until a scheduled break can be unrealistic. As an adult, I sometimes struggle to go on command during designated breaks—why should we expect the same from children?
Health Concerns
Instead of implementing broad restrictions that may cause undue stress, it would be more beneficial to address the behavior of those who might misuse bathroom privileges. Forcing children to “hold it” can lead to serious health issues, such as urinary tract infections. According to Christopher Cooper, a pediatric urologist at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, he sees numerous children who have developed harmful habits, arriving with infections, incontinence, and even kidney damage due to infrequent bathroom use.
It’s clear that scheduled bathroom breaks are essential in elementary schools to maintain order. However, punishing students before there’s any evidence of misuse makes little sense. Treating bathroom access like a reward is simply absurd.
Additional Resources
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Conclusion
In summary, enforcing a policy that requires young students to earn bathroom breaks is not only detrimental to their well-being but also undermines the natural process of bodily functions. Schools should focus on fostering a supportive environment rather than imposing unnecessary restrictions.
Keyphrase: bathroom breaks for elementary students
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