A child who is ready to be potty trained will show many signs. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) explains that the child will let you know when his diaper is dirty and show signs of discomfort when he soils himself. You may notice his diaper is dry after naps, and he may show interest in the toilet. You can start the potty training process as long as he is also able to follow simple instructions and can pull his pants up and down.
Step 1
Place a potty chair in a prominent spot where your child will see it regularly and get used to it. Let her touch it and play with it if she expresses a desire to do so. The University of Michigan Health System states you should not place any expectations on the child at this point.
Step 2
Tell your child that the potty chair belongs to him and encourage him to sit on it. Do not force him to do so, the AAFP warns, and never make him stay on it for a certain length of time. Let him interact with it on his own terms and praise him when you see him sitting on it. Allow him to sit on it without pants or a diaper once he is comfortable doing so while wearing clothes.
Step 3
Explain the purpose of the potty chair to your child. The AAFP recommends doing a demonstration. Put some feces from the child's diaper into the potty chair's receptacle, then let her watch you dump it into the toilet and flush it. Let her do the flushing if she wishes to do so. Tell her she will soon be using it when she needs to go potty.
Step 4
Bring your child to the potty chair and have him sit on it whenever you recognize signs that he needs to use it. The AAFP advises putting him on the potty chair regularly even when he is not showing obvious signs. Stay with him and chat or read to him to help him relax. Never put pressure on him during initial toilet training.
Step 5
Praise your child profusely when she uses the potty chair. Do not show any signs of disappointment if she does not urinate or defecate, the AAFP warns. She should only have positive associations with the potty chair and the toilet training process.
Step 6
Place a step stool in the bathroom and a training seat over the toilet once your child is using the potty chair regularly. The AAFP explains you can gradually transition him to using the regular toilet.
Tips and Warnings
- Dress your child in loose pants that can be pulled down easily, the AAFP recommends. This will prevent accidents caused by problems getting their pants down at the potty chair.
- It can be frustrating when your child has an accident after using the potty chair successfully many times. The University of Michigan Health System advises staying calm and not making a big deal out of the incident. Clean up the child and remind him about using the potty chair. Bring him to it occasionally in case he is getting involved in play or other activities and forgetting to go to the potty chair.
Things You'll Need
- Potty chair
