Skip to main content

Playing in the bath with your toddler and providing her with lots of props like pitchers, cups and books boosts her learning and nurtures her bond with you. Watch this video for a step-by-step guide on how to make toddler bathing fun

Your toddler develops self-confidence when she can take care of herself and her ducky, and when she figures out how to pop the bubbles. Her thinking skills are boosted as she uses her imagination while playing pretend, and when she makes connections between what she sees in books and her own “real” life. She builds language skills and the muscles in her fingers and hands when she turns the pages of the book and learns new words as you read together.

Social-Emotional Development

What you can do

What your child is learning

What you can do

Ask your toddler if she’d like to try washing herself.

What your child is learning

That she can take care of herself and that she is a good helper.

What you can do

Delight in your toddler’s discoveries and accomplishments. Let her know what a good job she does, for example, cleaning and taking care of her ducky.

What your child is learning

That she is important and capable.

What you can do

Help her cope with transitions by giving her notice before bathtime ends and letting her take a favorite toy with her.

What your child is learning

That her feelings are important and that you will help her manage difficult situations.

Language and Thinking Skills

What you can do

What your child is learning

What you can do

Explore bath books together. Invite her to point to familiar objects. Show her the connection between what she sees in the book and things in her “real” world.

What your child is learning

New words and to love books and reading, anytime, anywhere.

What you can do

Talk with your toddler about what you are doing together during bathtime. Ask her questions: Is ducky thirsty? Does ducky need to get washed?

What your child is learning

That she is a good communicator. That she can develop her own ideas.

What you can do

Help your toddler become a good problem-solver; for example, by guiding her in how to soap up the sponge or find the page she’s looking for in her book.

What your child is learning

That she can tackle the challenges she faces.

Physical Development

What you can do

What your child is learning

What you can do

Offer your toddler lots of different safe objects to explore in the bath.

What your child is learning

How to use her fingers and hands to make things work, such as grasping the pitcher firmly and dunking it in the water before pouring.

What you can do

Notice the way she uses her body to make things happen, like popping the bath bubbles.

What your child is learning

That she has a good, strong, body that can do so many great things. This builds positive self-esteem.

Remember, ensuring toddler bath safety is the number one priority. NEVER leave a baby alone in the bath. Not even for a second. So gather all the things you will need for the bath beforehand

and if the phone rings, just let it. Also, be sure to set your

water heater below 37 degrees Celsius to help

prevent the possibility of scalding.

Baby Bedtime | MythConceptions | JOHNSON’S® Baby

Baby Bedtime

Baby Bedtime

Join Elle Walker as she debunks common MythConceptions about baby sleep

Logo Baby Center

Bathtime Safety

You know never to leave your child unattended in the bath, but what are some other ways to keep her safe? BabyCenter® shares some bathtime safety tips.

Moms around the world trust JOHNSON’S® to care for their babies

We are committed to working with moms, healthcare experts and scientists to ensure our products continue achieving the highest JOHNSON’S® baby standards.

Back to Top