Toilet training is a time of transition for a child and can build self-esteem if done correctly. Although it may take some time for some children to master while others train almost overnight, some tips based on the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics are useful for potty training any 3-year-old. You may need to make some alterations based on the individual needs of your child.
Step 1
Look for signs of readiness in your child. Common signals of readiness include staying dry for longer periods during the day, staying dry during naptime, visibly indicating the need to go (such as moving to a solitary location, crossing legs or holding the genital area), expressing discomfort when pants or diaper are wet or soiled, and having regular, predictable bowel movements.
Step 2
Talk to your child about being old enough to begin using the toilet instead of wearing diapers. Most 3-year-olds should be able to engage in this conversation to some degree. Excite him about the prospect of being a big boy, and encourage the idea of potty training as a "rite of passage." Keep the conversation positive and encouraging, while giving your child the ability to train of his own will. This attitude will likely offer the best results.
Step 3
Purchase a potty chair for your child, and let her personalize it by adding stickers or other decorations. Examine the different types of potty chairs to decide which is best for your child: one that doubles as a stool, one that has a removable seat to attach to the full-size toilet or one with favorite cartoon characters or colors. Note that some parents skip this step and just train their children to use a grown-up toilet to avoid another transition in the future.
Step 4
Allow your child to watch a parent or sibling of the same gender use the toilet, if everyone is comfortable with the idea. You may also want to consider using a doll made especially to help illustrate the concept of using the potty. Read a book or help your child act out a successful trip to the potty to introduce the basic concepts, including proper wiping technique (front to back for females) and hand washing afterward.
Step 5
Decide whether you want your child to wear pull-ups or underwear while training. Pull-ups may be a better option for some, because they absorb like a diaper but can be removed more quickly. They also may help prevent any traumatic moments for your child if he has an accident, building confidence in his ability to master the concept. For some children, however, regular or training underwear may be better, because it allows your child to feel the consequences of not getting to the toilet in time. Adopting training underwear may be especially helpful if your child realizes that pull-ups work like diapers and continues to use them as such. Use your personal judgment as a parent for which option will work best for your 3-year-old.
Step 6
Have your child start using the toilet. Initially, you may want to encourage her to go every so often throughout the day, just so she can practice and find out what it feels like to go in the potty. This practice time may occur after waking, before sleeping, 30 minutes or so after meals or at other transition times in the day. Also, any time your child displays signs that indicate urgency, help your child get to a potty. This may mean taking your child to the toilet as many as 10 to 15 times a day, initially, but the frequency should wane as your child becomes more proficient.
Step 7
Offer lots of praise and encouragement to your child for successful trips to the potty. For trips that are unsuccessful, remain positive and compliment your child for things that he did well, focusing on strengths rather than mistakes, and provide tips for the future. Consider the use of a sticker chart or similar reward system to provide tangible proof of success.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider talking to your child's pediatrician to see if any developmental delays are interfering with potty training if your child does not show signs of readiness by age 3. Choose a time to potty train wisely. Avoid a time of difficult transitions, such as a big move, a new sibling or a new school. Be aware that your child will likely master the skills of daytime potty training before night-time, and consider training for overnight separately.
- Contact your child's pediatrician if you are concerned about the number of accidents your child is experiencing or if you notice regression in your child's ability to use the toilet correctly.
