Building self-help skills: nappy change

Nappy change time offers you a chance to focus all your attention on one child. It may also give the child an opportunity to be away from the group and relax and enjoy their time with you. It is a time you can talk, sing a song or play a special game, for example, 'Round and Round the Garden' on the child's tummy.

You can also provide other opportunities for learning, such as, names of body parts or different concepts like wet and dry, up and down, hot and cold.

Below is a list of nappy changing ideas that you can try so that nappy changing becomes an opportunity for learning experiences and confidence building.

• Coordinate with co-workers so that you can spend unhurried time with the children when changing nappies.
• Ensure the environment is safe, with nothing dangerous within the child's reach.
• Follow hygiene practices.
• Always remain aware of the rest of the children.
• Encourage appropriate hygiene practices for children, eg wipe their hands with a face cloth after changing their nappy.
• Talk about what's happening, for example, 'I'm just going to take off your nappy'.
• Sing songs - 'Put your finger on your nose' etc.
• Making eye contact and smiling can make a big difference to the experience.
• Make sure there are lots of bright and colourful pictures and mobiles around the change table.
• Schedule regular times for nappy changes, but always remember to change children outside scheduled times, if necessary.
• Never leave a child unattended on the change bench.