Potty training is one childhood milestone every parent looks forward to a child mastering. It is also one of the more difficult milestones since it does not occur naturally for most children in the same manner as walking or talking. Instead, caregivers must recognize a child's readiness for toilet training and help the child build the necessary skills and habits. FamilyDoctor.org from the American Academy of Family Physicians encourages caregivers not to push too hard toward potty training but instead to make it as fun as possible. Starting a child too soon can actually slow the process for parents and children.
Step 1
Determine your child's readiness. There are certain skills required before you can successfully train your child to use the bathroom. If your child has not mastered these skills, you need to wait until he does. The skills include being able to communicate that he needs to go to the bathroom, being able to understand and follow basic instructions, being able to stay dry for two hours or longer during the day and being able to pull his pants up and down.
Step 2
Model proper toilet behavior for the toddler. This means letting your child go to the bathroom with you and talking her through each step. Use words she is comfortable with when describing the activities. Some toddlers may prefer "pee pee" or "poo poo" instead of more formal vocabulary.
Step 3
Observe the child for signs that he may need to use the bathroom. Children often exhibit the same facial expressions or behaviors each time. Most children remove themselves from public view, grimace, grunt, grab at a diaper or seem uncomfortable sitting or standing.
Step 4
Tell the child it is time to potty when she exhibits signs of needing to eliminate waste. Use firm but encouraging words and tone of voice. For example, tell her it is time to try the big kid potty. Use whatever words you have established with her to describe toilet use.
Step 5
Take the child to the potty chair. Help him pull his pants and training underpants down. Encourage him to do much of this himself, but don't force any actions the child doesn't seem comfortable with. Praise him along the way to reinforce that toilet training is not a negative process. Have the child sit for several minutes on the potty even if he doesn't eliminate any waste. If he suggests he is all done, try to encourage him to try a bit longer if he has yet to produce waste. Praise him for his attempts, and end the sitting as soon as he seems completely finished trying.
Step 6
Talk the child through the final steps of using the potty, including wiping with a personal hygiene wipe or toilet tissue. Wet wipes made for toilet training can help a child be more independent in the process but maintain proper hygiene. Continue to praise the child every step of the way. Help the child wash her hands and dry them on a towel.
Step 7
Continue watching the child for signs of needing to use the bathroom throughout the day. Some methods of toilet training consist of using a set potty schedule that requires the child to try to use the toilet every hour. FamilyDoctor.org suggests attempting to use the toilet 45 minutes after drinking lots of fluid or eating a meal. This process can be effective for some children, but caregivers should do whatever method seems to fit the child's personality best. Some children respond well to sticker charts. You can give one sticker for potty attempts and an even bigger sticker for successful elimination. The child can pick a reward for earning so many stickers.
Tips and Warnings
- Use potty training pants instead of diapers when beginning toilet training. Allow the child to run around naked often. This can help a child recognize the urge to eliminate waste before it is too late. Begin night toilet training once day training has been well-established. The Mayo Clinic explains that potty training can take six months or longer and night training can take an additional six months. Many children don't wake in the night and may have accidents. When the child has a bowel movement in a diaper, throw the fecal matter away into the toilet, and tell the child the toilet is where "poo poo" belongs.
- Never punish or reprimand a child for accidents. Avoid showing any frustration or disappointment during the process. It is very important that toilet training is always seen as a positive activity by the child. Consult a health care professional, such as a pediatrician, when a child has reached his third birthday but still isn't having success with toilet training.
Things You'll Need
- Toddler potty
- Personal care wipes
- Hand soap
- Towel
- Training underpants
