Preschool bathroom sign for kids to clean up - offensive?

Question

My kid's preschool has a bathroom for use by 3 & 4 yr olds (both boys & girls). It is between the 3yr olds and 4 yr olds rooms, has 2 low sit-down potty's and a low sink, everything just the right height.

On the doors leadign to the bathroom, there is a paper with this sign in bold "Your mother doesn't work here, clean up your mess". The kids can see this from their tables and sit-down-rug area.

I feel this is a funny & effective sign in grown-up places like offices, but out-of-place here. My kid asked me ?s like do only mothers clean up. And told his playdate-friend, your mother doesn't live here, pick up your toys!!"

I'd like to request them to replace it with some more kid-friendly sign like a cartoon character or a "clean up" nursery rhyme etc. or some age-appropriate printout from the web.

My husband says, it is just a sign, leave it. I think it is OK for me to atleast mention it, and I could also take along couple of alternate signs ? Should I or just leave it?

Yes, most 3 yr olds can't read such big words. But, seeing them everyday for a year, and having a parent read it to them, they can "read" these words like they can read other "sight" words like STOP, GO, YES, MOM, McDonald :-)

Answer 1

I agree the wording of the sign is off, and sexist. What if one of the kids doesn't HAVE a mommy?

Plus they should also be encouraging kids to clean up at home, no?

Answer 2

I have to agree with you that the sign is a bit inappropriate for a bathroom solely for 3 and 4 year old children. I do find it pretty funny in more adult settings too.

I don't think bringing some alternatives and mentioning something about the sign being a bit too "old" for the kikds isn't a bad thing, as long as you keep it light. I mean, your child telling other kids "your mother doesn't live here, pick up your toys" while isn't terrible, would motivate me to see if the sign could be changed for something a little more "kid friendly".

Answer 3

my daughter's school has the two preschool classrooms right next to each other and there are 3 bathroom stalls in between the classrooms, also a little counter and cabinets for teachers to get snacks ready. there is no door separating the classrooms. however the stalls, which separate each toilet, are full size, like any other bathroom stall, so the doors and the "walls" go all the way up. it is a little awkward but for a preschool room its also understandable the toilets be close by because there are, i'm sure, some kids who are not fully potty trained and need to get there fast. i do not at all agree that the bathrooms at that one place be coed out of the teachers' laziness to watch the children. i don't want my daughter being naked or half naked with boys, idc if they are her age. the half stalls would make me a little uncomfortable but some kids do get distracted or play in toilets so it does make sense, just a little weird

Answer 4

Make your own signs. Children that age won't get the saying if they can read but they do get pictures. Maybe one child washing there hands and another throwing the paper towel away.

Just say, I was thinking and made up these bathroom signs I thought that since all the children can't read that these might be helpful. If that doesn't make them change them then you get to go to the director and explain that you don't want your child taught that statement and this is a very impressionable age.

This is your child and you are his best protector.

Answer 5

For children of that age to pick up toys is one thing but to clean a bathroom behind others is another. I feel the sign should be removed it's not humorous or effective to me being a parent! There are a lot of germs in the bathroom and that is no place for a child of that age to clean up. The teacher may not be the mother but she certainly has to be more responsible than that!
I think you should bring it to her attention, if a health inspector were to come by that establishment would more than likely be shut down. Just keep in mind it's a harmless piece of paper until your child gets sick from touching someone's urine or feces!
Good Luck!

Answer 6

I definately would find this sign offensive if it were in my child's preschool. I am a teachers aide and would say something to my supervisior if a sign like this were posted on the bathroom at my preschool. Though the children may not understand the sign, it is not alright to have it up there. For one, it is not developmentally appropriate for these children to read or hear that, for two, it is the job of the preschool to clean up after the children. Your hard earned money pays those employees, who have to clean the bathrooms everynight anyway.
Personally, I would speak to the director of the programa nd explain that this is confusing your child and it is not something you appreciate being on the door. Chances are that if the office in charge of private schooling in your state (EEC, formally OCCS) came into the building, that sign would be taken down and they would be given a warning.
As a parent, you have every right to be offended and to tell the director you would like to have it removed.

Answer 7

I think its impressive that your preschooler can read the sign. It was probably meant for the teachers, unless someone reads it to the kids on a daily basis. I like the fact that my preschooler has learned the "clean up" song, it doesn't always work at home, but it gets her motivated more than yelling "clean your room, or pick up your toys".

Answer 8

I think your way overreacting. These are 3 and 4 yr olds. Let them be kids. Most kids this age can't read and they certainly can't comprehend what it means and they probably don't care! Their worried about coloring and playing outside and what time snack is.

Focus that energy somewhere else..leave the sign and the daycare workers alone.

Answer 9

That is very out of place, and seems to serve no reasonable purpose since the kids can't read anyway. they should just have a cartoon showing a kid picking up toys. the sign is pointless and can easily be mis-interpreted. talk to the teacher about it, and get some other parents to back you up. :)

(Check Lakeshore, they have things like that at their stores)

Answer 10

Since most 3 and 4-year-olds can't read, they are probably not as affected by this sign as you are. However, I do agree with you that this would be a more appropriate sign for an adult bathroom ( in fact, we have the same sign in our employee lounge, LOL!)