According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "There is no set age at which toilet training should begin." Children develop the capacity to use the toilet only when the muscles enlisted for elimination become strong enough to restrain excretion. This usually happens somewhere between one and three years of age. In order to successfully potty train your child, however, you must familiarize him with the toilet by using a series of steps that he can understand.
Step 1
Set aside a couple of days that you can completely devote to potty training your toddler. Teaching your child to use the toilet will require diligence on your part, especially through the initial stages of learning.
Step 2
Take your child to the store and allow her to pick out a "potty-chair" of her very own. This is a miniature toilet with a receptacle placed underneath the seat to capture waste. The chair will be your child's to use while learning. Use this time to also pick out a pack of "big-girl" underwear to put on between bathroom trials.
Step 3
Every 15 minutes, take your toddler into the restroom. Sit him on the chair for five minutes at a time, while encouraging him to go potty. In between bathroom visits, allow him to wear the conventionally styled "big-boy" underwear. This will enable him to sense any impulse to "go" more easily.
Step 4
Give stickers and prizes for successful toilet trips. You can, for instance, post a chart that illuminates each positive potty run with a sticker. Once your toddler has received 10 stickers, she can then choose from a selection of small prizes.
Step 5
Place your child in training pants or pull-ups when you either go away from the house, or place him in bed at night.
Tips and Warnings
- Become aware of what particular times of the day your child habitually urinates and moves her bowels. When your child is successful in using the toilet, be overly positive and excited in letting him know he has done a good job. Encourage your child to get involved in the process of choosing a potty chair. The more fascinated she becomes with the training tools, the more motivated she will be to use them when appropriate.Some potty chairs even play music when flushed or material enters the container beneath. Once your child has learned to use the chair, switch him to the "big" toilet. This is so he becomes comfortable with using it, allowing you to avoid problems with "going potty" when the family is out in public.
- Be patient. Never scold or punish your child for accidents. If she becomes scared of failing, she may instinctively "hold it in" for fear of engendering disappointment.
Things You'll Need
- Toilet training underwear with plastic cover or pull-ups
- Underwear
- Treats and prizes
- Child's potty-training toilet
