The toilet training process can take up to eight months once your toddler is physically and emotionally ready, according to the Family Doctor website of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Increase your chances of success by giving your toddler incentives and support to make potty training less intimidating and more enjoyable.
Offer Choices
Help your toddler feel in control of potty training by allowing him to make choices throughout the process. NetWellness suggests letting your child select his own child-sized toilet seat or potty training chair. You can also allow him to choose the color, pattern or style of the underwear that he'll wear once he's potty trained. Asking your child to tell you when he needs to go to the bathroom will also help him feel like you trust him to make the decision.
Introduce the Toilet
The University of Alabama Parenting Assistance Line recommends familiarizing your toddler with the toilet training "equipment" before you start the procedure. Let her help you place the child-sized seat cover on the toilet or put the potty training toilet in the designated spot. Invite the toddler to sit on the toilet while she's wearing clothes so she begins to feel comfortable there and accustomed to getting up and down out of the chair.
Sit at Regular Intervals
Help your toddler be on the toilet at the right time by having him sit on the toilet with his pants and underwear off at regular times throughout the day and evening. MayoClinic.com suggests training boys as well as girls to urinate sitting down. The clinic recommends sitting beside your child and letting him play with a toy that's only available while he's sitting on the toilet to make it a "special" time. Giving your child the opportunity to achieve success will give him the confidence to continue toilet training.
Avoid Punishment
Keep the potty training process positive and avoid discouraging your child if she soils her pants or doesn't make it to the toilet in time. The Child Welfare Information Gateway urges parents to remain calm if a child makes a mistake because scolding or punishment may only make the toddler more unwilling to potty train. If your toddler is extremely stubborn and doesn't seem to be adapting to the transition out of diapers, consider abandoning the training and trying again when she's in a more cooperative stage.
Award Success
Take a potty training tip from MayoClinic.com by motivating your toddler to continue to the process with small rewards. In addition to positive comments as reinforcement for each successful trip to the toilet, hang a sticker chart and add a sticker for each success or each sincere attempt. Once the chart is full, reward your toddler with a trip for ice cream, an afternoon at the park, a new book or a family movie night.
