Accessibility, easy and comfort of using sanitary devices by preschool children: Pre-design studies

Abstract

Using the standard bathroom facilities and equipment designed for adults by small children presents numerous difficulties. Due to the smaller size of the child, its motor space (particularly space of reach and grasp) is also reduced. For this reason, the use of standard full-size sanitary devices intended for adults is uncomfortable and dangerous for the child, and usually requires a help of parents or caregivers, what in turn results in limited development of the child self-reliance and independence. Actions taken during design hygienic-sanitary rooms used by preschool children should include the possibility of creating favorable conditions for the availability, safety, and adaption of them to the needs and demands of small users in terms of entire functional-spatial structure and individual functional elements of equipment. The bathroom facilities should also be friendly, cozy and inviting aesthetically. The paper will be presented the motor-space analysis associated with the use of bathroom devices by children of preschool age. The work will also be discussed ways to introduce facilitations and additional improvements in the bathroom for small users. The possibility of introducing to the bathroom devices with reduced dimensions adapted to the needs and motor skills of small children, as well as additional support elements will also be considered.