If your toddler stays dry for two hour intervals, lets you know when he is ready to be changed and seems interested in using the potty, he is exhibiting signs of toilet training readiness. While some toddlers pick up on potty training faster than others, you may be able to enhance your child's rate of learning by incorporating some toilet training activities in your coaching sessions.
Diaper Graduation
Set aside a day in which your toddler officially "graduates" from wearing diapers to being a potty user. Getting your toddler involved in and excited about the process means she will be more likely to want to follow through. Perhaps she can have a formal graduation ceremony where she "throws away" her diapers and receives the gifts of big girl underwear and a new toddler potty. Alternately, you may want to bring her with you to the store so that she may pick out her favorite underwear and potty. Let her become acquainted with her potty; encourage her to decorate it with stickers and carry it around.
Wet and Dry Feeling Activities
Teach your child to feel the difference between wet and dry by setting up some "scientific" activities. For example, bring a variety of dry cloth items such as dry underwear and a dry t-shirt to the table and let your little one feel them as you say "these are dry". Next, say "let's make them wet" and let your child dip the dry cloth into a bowl of water as she feels the difference between the dry cloth and the wet cloth. You may also accompany your child as she uses a sprinkling can or squirt bottle to test out "wet" versus "dry" on different items.
Wet and Dry Seeing Activities
Your child will also benefit from knowing the visible difference between wet and dry. Start out by bringing a variety of cut out construction paper shapes to the table; let him dip them into water so that he may see what "wet" looks like compared to "dry". When it is apparent that he understands the difference, encourage him to point out daily objects that are wet and dry such as flowers when they are watered and dishes when you wash and dry them. Dr. Sears notes that some toddlers learn more by about wetness by seeing and changing a doll that "wets" its diapers.
Running Free
Set aside a portion of time every day to let your toddler roam free of diapers, underwear or any extra clothes. Give her enough "free" time to allow her to see her bodily excrement when it leaves her body. If possible, let your toddler play outside so that any excrement will land on the ground rather than on the floor. When she goes, let her know that "poo-poo" and "pee-pee" go in her potty. Leave her potty chair within eyesight and easy access so that she may choose to use it if she wants to.
Toilet Sitting Practice
Bring your toddler to his potty a few times every day and let him sit on it clothed. It will establish the habit of sitting on a potty without making him feel pressured to produce any results. Keep your toddler entertained during "potty sitting" times by letting him choose from a small basket of special activities such as a set of books and cars that can only be played with during potty time.
