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Social stories · School · ages 5–9 · 2-minute read

Using the toilet at school: a social story

For children who hold on all day or worry about the school toilets. What happens, step by step, and what I can do.

Read the story

By the Cala Luna team · Reviewed 24 October 2026 · The research behind it

The story

Read it aloud together, one card at a time. Point to the pictures and let your child read the last card.

  1. Sometimes my body tells me I need the toilet. Everybody needs the toilet, even teachers.

  2. I tell my teacher. I can say "toilet, please" or show my toilet card.

  3. I walk to the school toilets. They may look, sound or smell different from home.

  4. I go into a cubicle and close the door. I can take my time.

  5. I wipe, pull my clothes up and flush. The flush can be loud.

  6. I wash my hands with soap and water. The hand dryer is noisy, so I can cover my ears or use a paper towel.

  7. Then I go back to my class.

  8. If I have an accident, that is OK. A grown-up helps me, and my spare clothes are in my bag.

  9. Going to the toilet when I need to helps my body feel comfortable all day.

My calm plan

Pick one or two before the day, and practise them at home.

  • 🙋 My toilet card
  • 🔒 Take my time
  • 🙉 Cover my ears
  • 🫁 Slow breaths

Free printable social story from calalunakids.com/social-stories/using-the-toilet-at-school/

Personalised social cartoon

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Cala Luna created personalised social cartoons: the social-story method, as a cartoon starring your child. Two minutes, their name, a hero who looks like them, and this exact moment, one small step at a time.

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Teo, a small lynx in a big yellow sun hat

How to use this story (for grown-ups)

  • Agree with the school how your child can ask (a word, a card or a sign), and whether they can go at set times without asking.
  • Practise every step at home at your child's pace: clothes down and up, wiping, flushing and handwashing. Praise each step, not just the result.
  • Visit the school toilets together before term if you can, and practise with other unfamiliar toilets in small steps.
  • Pack spare clothes and treat accidents calmly, as part of learning. If your child often holds on, avoids the toilet or seems constipated, talk to your doctor or school nurse.

Why these steps: what 30 years of research says about social stories.

Words that help

  • Try saying: "I wonder if your tummy needs the toilet?"Instead of: "Why didn't you go at school?"
  • Try saying: "Accidents happen. Let's get changed."Instead of: Getting cross about accidents

Questions parents ask

My child holds on all day at school. Is that a problem?

Regular holding on can lead to tummy aches, accidents and constipation. Ask the teacher about easy access to the toilet, and talk to your doctor if it keeps happening.

What if the hand dryer frightens my child?

Ask the school if your child can use paper towels, or plan ahead: cover ears, or wait until the dryer stops. Ear defenders help too; see our loud places story.

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All 28 social stories

We read the best free examples and guidance we could find, then wrote a shorter, simpler version in our own words: Bladder & Bowel UK: starting school, is your child ready? (PDF); ERIC, The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity: toilet anxiety in children (PDF). Not medical advice; if you are worried about your child, talk to their school or doctor.