According to mayoclinic.com many children begin showing interest in potty training by the time they're 2, but others may not until they are older. Potty training before your child is ready can delay the process. If your 2-year-old son is showing interest in the toilet and wearing underwear–and he stays dry for two hours or longer, he may be ready to potty train, says mayoclinic.com. And boys often take longer to potty train than girls do, according to babycenter.com.
Step 1
Place a potty chair in the bathroom and allow your son to examine it. Encourage him to sit on it clothed at first and then without his diaper and pants on so that he gets used to sitting on the chair without a diaper, recommends familydoctor.org.
Step 2
Take a soiled diaper and allow your son to observe you dumping the stool into the potty chair. Then dispose of the stool in the toilet and show him how to flush–allowing him to watch it disappear so that he learns to connect the potty chair with the toilet.
Step 3
Schedule regular potty breaks when you take your son to his potty chair and allow him to sit on it for several minutes. It's best to teach boys to urinate sitting down first, according to mayoclinic.com.
Step 4
Give your son a special book to look at while he sits on his potty chair to make the training sessions fun. Consider using a book that talks about potty training to help him learn.
Step 5
Praise your son for sitting on the potty chair even if he doesn't go potty. Encouraging him will likely make him want to try again.
Step 6
Watch for signs that your child needs to go to the bathroom. Your son may squirm, hold his genitals or make odd facial expressions when he feels the urge to go. Take him to the potty chair quickly and speak encouraging words to him for using his potty chair.
Step 7
Teach your son to wash his hands with soap and warm water after he uses the potty. Purchase a step stool for him to climb on if he can't reach the sink–and help him learn to turn on the taps gently so that he doesn't burn himself with hot water.
Step 8
Create a reward chart to hang in the bathroom if your son struggles with using the potty. Allow him to accompany you to the store to pick out special stickers and create a chart with poster board. Let him to choose one sticker and place it on the chart each time he uses his potty chair.
Step 9
Purchase new underwear or training pants for your son to wear once he has successfully used his potty chair for several weeks, recommends mayoclinic.com. Some doctors disagree with using training pants because they think it encourages children to use them like diapers. Others believe training pants help with the transition, explains familydoctor.org. Let your instincts help you choose which method is right for your family. Whatever your decision, make a big deal out of his transition from diapers.
Step 10
Refrain from scolding your son if he has an accident. Help him clean up and remind him that it's okay and normal to have accidents–and that he will get to the potty sooner next time.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose a potty chair without a urine guard, recommends babycenter.com. While it may help prevent your son from accidently soiling the floor, it could rub against his genitals and cause pain, which will likely make him reluctant to use the potty chair in the future. Be patient. Many children take months to begin using the potty regularly. If your son starts showing disinterest or gets frustrated and angry, it may be time to back off for a while. Forcing a 2-year-old into potty training can create a stressful situation for both you and your child, and he may just need another few months to a year before he is completely ready.
Things You'll Need
- Potty chair
- Book
- Step stool (optional)
- Poster board (optional)
- Stickers (optional)
- Underwear or training pants
