Potty training often proves difficult. Even if your child shows signs of readiness, toileting may not come as easily as you hope. There are several techniques that can help you train your child be diaper free.
Familiarize
Prior to beginning potty training, the Family Doctor website recommends familiarizing your child with the process of using the toilet. Allow him to observe you using the toilet and allow him to flush the toilet. Also, place a potty chair in your child's normal living space and encourage him to sit on it.
Practice
MentalHelp.net advises practicing potty training by taking your child to the bathroom and walking her through the steps at normal bathroom times, such as before bed, after a nap, first thing in the morning and an hour after a big meal. Also use these practice sessions when your child shows signs of needing to use the restroom.
Verbal Encouragement
Set a timer for every two hours. When the timer goes off tell your child, "It's time to go to the potty." Take your child to the potty and encourage him to urinate into the toilet. Once your child shows success for about a week, change your verbal encouragement to support independence. Tell your child, "Head into the bathroom and sit on the potty. I'll be there in a minute."
Schedule
For one to two weeks before beginning potty training, keep a record of your child's urination and bowel movements. Do this by checking for dryness every hour or two and marking the time and result of the check, as well as recording the time of any bowel movements. Use this schedule to schedule toileting times during training.
Bare Bottom Weekend
At the beginning of the bare bottom weekend, get up with your child as soon as he wakes and take his diaper off. When he shows signs of needing to use the toilet, take him quickly to the nearest potty. When you need to use the toilet, take your child with you and demonstrate the steps of toileting.
After the first day of the bare bottom weekend, celebrate success by going outside so your child associates successful toileting with outside fun. If your child's success continues after three months, celebrate the victory with "big kid" underwear.
Warm Water
Place your child on the potty and fill a large bowl or small bucket with lukewarm water. Put new toys in the bowl and place it in front of your child. When she reaches into the warm water to play with the toys, the warm water will likely make her relax her bladder and urinate.
Doll
Using a doll or stuffed animal, encourages your child to pretend that the animal or doll needs to use the bathroom. Help your child teach the animal or doll how to use the toilet, walking through every step your child will take when he learns to use the toilet. Encourage your child to use the toilet using the same method he used with the doll or animal.
Entertain
Make the toilet fun. Keep new and interesting books, puzzles or toys within your child's reach while using the toilet to keep her entertained and patient while sitting on the toilet. If your child loves the items she plays with during toileting she will want to use the toilet more often as well.
Reinforcement
Forcing your child to use the toilet will not work. Instead, offer plenty of encouragement and rewards for using the toilet, even if only minimal success results. Stickers or small bite sized candy works, but verbal praise, smiles and hugs work just as well.
Pee Pee Tree
Boys who don't like to use the toilet may find motivation with a "pee pee tree." Paint a target on a tree and encourage your child to water the tree. Boys love this technique and eventually you can transition to using the toilet inside.
