Don't start potty training your child until you are both ready. Signs that your child is ready include that he signals his diaper is soiled or wet, he shows interest in the potty chair or toilet, he is uncomfortable when wet or soiled, he can pull his pants down and up again and he is able to follow basic instructions. You are ready for potty training when you are able to allow a lot of time throughout the day to monitor, coach and reward potty behavior. Some children are ready when they are 18 to 24 months of age, while other children remain in diapers until age 3.
Step 1
Prepare your child for using the potty. Talk about how she is a big kid, and big kids use the potty chair or toilet. Allow your child to be with others, such as you or an older sibling, to observe how to use the toilet. Let your child flush the toilet after others have used it. Make it fun.
Step 2
Place the potty chair in the child's play and living areas so she can get used to it. Tell her it is her chair and allow her to sit on it with clothes on. Have her see what it feels like to sit on the potty chair without pants on.
Step 3
Show him what the potty chair is for. Drop some stool from his diaper into the potty chair. Then take the potty chair and dump the stool into the toilet. Celebrate the process. Make it fun and interesting. Let your child flush the toilet. Give high fives when the flush is done.
Step 4
Discuss with your child and come to agreement when she will start using the potty chair. Help your child to feel pride and excitement. Forewarn her that while she is learning she will be spending some time, with you as company, on the potty chair so she can learn how to use it.
Step 5
Prepare for the big day. Once you start potty training, make sure the potty chair is always available in whatever room the child is in. Dress your child in loose, easily removed pants.
Step 6
Have your child sit on the potty chair at strategic times throughout the day, including shortly after waking, 15 to 20 minutes after drinking something, an hour after eating, before bed and at whatever other times you have noted that they tend to have bowel movements or urinate.
Step 7
Reward your child with praise and celebratory hoopla whenever there is success. Take the potty bowl, and with great showmanship, dump it into the toilet. Have your child flush the toilet. Celebrate again.
Step 8
Monitor your child carefully and watch for behavioral cues that he needs to use the potty, such as clutching himself, crossing his legs or bouncing up and down. Guide him to the potty chair whenever he shows the need. You may be doing this every couple of hours.
Step 9
If you decide to use training pants, which are basically big diapers, introduce them after your child is able to go a couple of days without any accidents. Explain that once she is able to go without any accidents for a week, she will get to wear "big-girl" underwear.
Tips and Warnings
- Do not punish your child or express disappointment or frustration when he has accidents. Instead, focus on rewarding his successes. If your child is 3 or older and still hasn't learned how to use the potty chair, talk to your doctor to determine what the problem may be.
Things You'll Need
- Stand-alone potty seat with a bowl that can be emptied into the toilet
- Training pants (optional)
