If you are trying to potty train a little girl, you will soon discover that numerous potty training methods are available on the Internet, in books and from both experienced and inexperienced people. The method you choose is not as important as ensuring your little girl shows the necessary signs that she is ready to learn this new skill. Such signs include showing an interest in the toilet, being able to lower and raise her pants, showing some signal that she is about to eliminate waste or she can verbalize her need to use the potty. Take comfort in the suggestion by the Baby Center website that girls are easier to potty train than boys.
Step 1
Develop a plan and verbalize it to everyone involved in caring for your little girl. Decide whether you will have a schedule for her to try to use the potty, how you will respond to accidents and how to respond to successful trips to the toilet.
Step 2
Take your daughter with you every time you use the bathroom. This will help her see what happens and how to be a "big girl." Talk her through what you are doing. Ask her if she wants to try. Help her label her body parts and tell her "pee" and "poop" belong in the toilet.
Step 3
Take your daughter to the toilet on a set schedule. This can be once every three hours or as often as she seems to have an accident. Try to read the signs that she is eliminating or about to eliminate. Tell her it is time to go to the potty.
Step 4
Set your toddler on the toilet and tell her to "go potty," or use whatever words you have taught her for describing elimination. Praise her for trying, no matter the outcome.
Step 5
Teach her how to wipe, flush the toilet and wash her hands after each attempt. She will still require your assistance to ensure she has properly cleaned herself.
Step 6
Stick with your plan as long as your toddler seems to be interested or cooperative. It should not be a fight because this will make your toddler associate toilet training with negativity.
Tips and Warnings
- Use training pants or "big girl" underwear to motivate your toddler to use the toilet instead of soiling herself. Try giving a reward of some sort for effort and for success. This could be a sticker on a chart that will eventually lead to a treat of some sort after so many stars. Other positive rewards include an extra book at bedtime, a trip to the park or new underwear showing a picture of a favorite cartoon character. Use kid-friendly potty books to encourage your daughter.
Things You'll Need
- Training pants
- Toddler potty
