Teaching staff sound the alarm: schoolchildren are still wearing nappies
16.6.2023
Translation: machine translated
Some children still wear nappies even after starting school. An alarming development, say teachers.
I was supposedly sober at the age of one and a half. So were my two sisters. My mother's explanation: "That was just the way it was back then, there were no disposable nappies and the wet wipes were uncomfortable to wear." My own son came out of nappies at the age of three - because at some point I didn't feel like changing nappies anymore and therefore pushed the whole thing forward.
If I hadn't done this, he would probably still be wearing nappies today at the age of four. I'm sure he would. There are a few children of the same age in his nursery group who still need nappies. But there's one more thing...
With nappies to primary school
In an interview with 20 Minuten.ch, Dagmar Rösler, Central President of the Swiss Federation of Teachers, says: "Nowadays, children start school at the age of four, so it can actually happen that some are still wearing nappies."
However, this could develop into a problem - both for children and teachers. According to Rösler, parents have a duty to ensure that their children no longer have to wear nappies at school. "When eleven-year-olds come to school wearing nappies, it's a worrying development," she says. It goes too far when teachers have to change their pupils' nappies. However, it is not known whether the number of children who are not yet nappy-free when they start school has increased. However, a look at our sales figures reveals that at least the sale of nappies in larger sizes - such as Pampers for children weighing 19 kilograms or more - is going well, with our customers ordering them around 400 times a month.
It is particularly important to distinguish whether there is a developmental psychological disorder or whether the children have not yet learned to live without nappies. "Teachers must always deal with the topic sensitively and be discreet," recommends Rösler. Even if no health problems are the reason, a discussion with the parents is absolutely necessary.
Reasons can be psychological in nature
So says psychotherapist Felix Hof in an interview with Focus: "If it's not due to a physical impairment, such behaviour can indicate neglect or an extremely stressful family situation."
As reported by the Tagesanzeiger, the problem does not only occur in Switzerland. At a Berlin school for seven to eleven-year-olds, for example, there are signs saying that nappies must not be disposed of in the toilets. "Nappies are becoming more and more comfortable and can be worn like normal pants," educationalist Margrit Stamm is quoted as saying. There are even adverts for parents looking for staff to change nappies.
Do you also have the problem that your child doesn't want to come out of nappies yet? Try cloth nappies - they get really wet and therefore make wearing them more uncomfortable for children. At least that's what my friend says, whose son went to the potty on his own at the age of two.
Cover photo: Mart Production/Pexels
A true local journalist with a secret soft spot for German pop music. Mum of two boys, a dog and about 400 toy cars in all shapes and colours. I always enjoy travelling, reading and go to concerts, too.
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