Potty training means freedom from diapers. But that freedom requires careful timing. Potty training at the right time means that you are ready as a parent to be patient and responsive to your child; for your child it means that she has the necessary muscle development, communication skills and developmental understanding to eliminate in a toilet rather than in a diaper. If you force toilet training, it may delay full potty training, notes the Mayo Clinic.
Time Frame
The time to potty train is generally around 2 1/2 years old, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some children train later and some earlier. The key is to let your child partner with you in this process, notes Dr. William Sears, a noted expert on attachment parenting. As your child becomes aware of the pressure in his bladder or bowel, he needs to communicate his need to you, get to the toilet and be able to easily remove any clothing to use the toilet.
Significance
You may feel pressure from family members or others in a playgroup to start potty training. However, the Mayo Clinic notes that the time to potty train requires the convergence of both emotional readiness and physical development. Dr. Sears notes that it's a complex process to toilet train. A child has to unlearn the diaper, become aware of the need to go, connect that need to the use of a toilet, learn control and communication and manage the complexities of clothing to achieve success.
Types
Potty training falls into two general categories, according to Dr. Sears. He notes that most children start with controlling their bowel and then control their urine flow. This is because the muscles that control the bowel require a less urgent response. In addition, a bowel movement is easier to control than urine, so a child has more time to get to the toilet. After a child can control their bowel both during the day and night, they can move on to controlling urine flow. Once the child can control urine during the day, she can begin working on nighttime urine-flow control, which is the final stage.
Potential
The Mayo Clinic provides guidelines for gauging whether your child is ready. In particular, they suggest that you note if your child is expressing an interest in either the potty seat, toilet or underwear and take advantage of it by keeping a potty chair around where the child plays. You should also gauge if your child is ready by thinking about whether she can follow directions well and communicate her need to use the bathroom. Keep tabs on whether your child is keeping her diaper dry for two hours or more during the daytime and if her bowel movements occur at regular times. Some children also display a need for privacy when filling their diaper by going behind a couch or around a corner, which is one of the key signs that they are aware of what's happening and are ready to make the big move to underwear.
Misconceptions
Early toilet training is not a sign of parenting success. Some kids just train early, notes Dr. Sears. These children are likely very focused and have parents who support that focus, but don't pressure the child. Other kids wait until later. The Mayo Clinic suggests that the most important tools a parent can have through the process of toilet training is a good sense of humor and patience.
