Fleeing from monster tops ‘potty list’

WE’VE all heard of bucket lists — things to do before you die — but apparently the latest craze is the “potty list” — things you have to do before you turn three.

Thankfully the list is a little more sedate than the high-pressure “must-do” lists thrown at adults.

Far from bungee jumping and swimming with dolphins, toddlers need to engage in more relaxed activities such as finger-painting and being chased by a monster.

The list was compiled by 1,000 mothers who were asked what they felt to be the most crucial events a young toddler should experience.

Known as the “potty list”, it was compiled by Cow & Gate for a marketing campaign aimed at educating parents about the nutritional needs of their children.

Speaking to The Telegraph newspaper, child psychologist Dr Richard Woolfson said that the first three years of a child’s life was a period of extraordinary growth.

“Toddlerhood is about learning, about development and about progress,” he said. “It’s also about pushing the boundaries a little. A growing child needs to be loved and to be happy, but fun activities play an essential part during the toddler years too, as now is the time they will master many of the skills that will set them up for life. Making a mud pie or jumping in a puddle has never been so important.”

Potty list

Some of the things deemed essential for toddlers to try before starting school:

* Picking fruit.

* Visiting a museum.

* Making a mud pie.

* Jumping in puddles.

* Climbing a big hill.

* Singing in public.

* Making sandcastles on the beach.

* Feeding the ducks.

* Having a ‘first love’.

* Baking a cake.

* Breaking something valuable.

* Dancing with no inhibitions.

* Being chased by a ‘monster’.

* Blowing bubbles.

* Riding on the top deck of a double decker bus.

* Feeding an animal.

* Wearing underpants on your head.

* Riding on daddy’s shoulders.

* Scribbling somewhere you shouldn’t.