Flush with Success!- Toilet Training Tips
Done with Diapers? Tackling toilet training is a big job!
Here are a few tips to set you and your child up for success with this important milestone:
Make sure your child is ready.
Does your child understand and follow simple directions? Do they show independence and a willingness to learn new skills? Can they stay dry for over 2 hours and do they show some sort of body awareness when they do pee or poop in their diaper? Can they pull their pants up and down with minimal assistance? These are some important signs you will want to watch out for when deciding if it is time to potty train.
2. Make sure that YOU are ready too!
Do you have the time and emotional energy? Do you have the support of other caregivers in your child’s life (ie. The other parent, daycare, grandparents, preschool staff)? Are you prepared to be consistent with your strategies? Is your life free from other major stressors or transitions?
3. Make it fun.
Create a fun, novel environment in the bathroom by getting things like a fun new potty or ring seat. Bring in books or toys, get them underwear they are excited about. Celebrate any success with great enthusiasm, maybe by creating a fun ‘potty dance’ to do together, or have a ‘potty song’. Reward with stickers, high-fives and big smiles.
3. Avoid power struggles.
Never force a child to sit on the potty and don’t scold them for having an accident. It is important to keep things positive and not get upset over messes; that is part of the learning process!
4. Be aware of other issues.
Things like constipation can lead to anxiety or fear of the toilet if your child thinks it will hurt. You will have to solve that issue first before you can build success on the potty.
Remember that there is no right or wrong way to toilet train and no magic age that all children ‘should’ be ready by. You know your child best and will know when they are ready. Be prepared to be patient with the process! It is most important to maintain positivity and a healthy parent-child relationship.
Watch our online workshop to learn more about toilet training.
For more great workshops, check out our calendar