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A social story for bath time

An adult stays for the whole bath, with supplies in reach and the heater set so the tap is warm, not scalding. Empty the tub when it is not in use.

Social StoriesUpdated
3 min read

An adult stays in the room for the whole bath, and the tub is emptied when washing is done. Supplies sit within arm's reach before the water goes in.

The tub

Carol Gray's 10.2 criteria say a social story uses first person or third person, and it does not say you (Social Stories 10.2 Criteria, accessed November 1, 2026). The lines below are first person.

Warm Tap, Then a Towel

I wash in the tub. Mom or Dad is in the room the whole time.

The towel, the soap, and the cup are already on the ledge.

The tap is tested on a wrist. It feels warm, not hot.

I sit. I wash. I do not stand up on the slick floor of the tub.

When washing is finished, I step onto the mat and use the towel.

The tub is emptied. Water does not stay in it.

What the AAP says about this room

Never leave a young child alone in the bath, even for a moment. A few inches of water are enough for drowning. Seats and rings do not replace an adult in the room. Anything you will need belongs within arm's reach before you begin. Do not leave water in the tub when it is not in use (Bathroom Safety, accessed November 1, 2026).

Set the heater so the hottest tap is no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Test with a wrist or an elbow. Warm, not hot. No-slip strips on the tub floor cut slips. A cushion over the tap helps if a head bumps it. Close the toilet lid. Store soap and shampoo in a latched cabinet, separate from medicines.

If the doorbell rings, wrap up in the towel and take your child along. Do not leave the room.

One practice before the next wash

  1. Put the towel, soap, and cup on the ledge first.
  2. Test the tap on your wrist.
  3. Stay in the room until the tub is empty.
  4. Point at the mat so the step out has a place.

Two pictures, washing then the towel, can be printed as a two-step picture strip. More strips are on the free tools page.

Later notes go out from the Social Stories email list.

When to call

Call the pediatrician after a slip with a hard bump, a scald, or a near-drowning, even if the moment seems to pass. The indoor plan above is supervision and a warm tap. It does not treat an injury.

FAQ

Does an adult have to stay?

Yes. The AAP says never leave a young child alone in the bath, even for a moment.

How warm should the tap be?

The heater is set so the hottest tap is no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Test on a wrist. Warm, not hot.

What happens when washing ends?

Step onto the mat, dry off, and empty the tub. Water does not stay in it.

Behind this guide

Sources & further reading

  1. Bathroom Safety (HealthyChildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics). Accessed November 1, 2026., American Academy of Pediatrics
  2. Social Stories 10.2 Criteria (Carol Gray, PDF). Accessed November 1, 2026., Carol Gray Social Stories