Most children are ready to be potty trained between ages 18 months and 4 years. There are several different methods used by parents in order to train a child to use the potty, and some choose to use "big kid" underwear to encourage potty training. A child is likely to be more uncomfortable in soiled underwear than he is in diapers or pull-ups, because underwear is less absorbent. If your child is ready to be potty trained, he may be successful using underwear to help the process along.
Step 1
Determine if your child shows signs of being ready for potty training. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your child may be ready if she is uncomfortable in soiled diapers, can handle simple instruction and is able to ask questions.
Step 2
Take your child to the store and let her pick out some "big kid" underwear. If she picks out his own, she may be more excited to begin potty training and may be motivated to avoid soiling her new underwear. You will need several pairs of underwear to get started, since there are typically frequent accidents in the beginning of the process.
Step 3
Allow your child to observe his same-gender parent using the bathroom. Kids learn through imitating others.
Step 4
Watch your child to learn her potty cues. When she needs to use the bathroom, she may jump up and down or hold her private area.
Step 5
Take your child to the bathroom every 30 minutes and whenever you observe his potty cues. Help him pull his pants and underwear down and help him to sit on the potty. Do this repeatedly in order to build memory of the process.
Step 6
Ask your child regularly if she would like to try using the potty by herself.
Tips and Warnings
- Try using other methods to encourage potty training, such as demonstrating with a doll or stuffed animal and reading books designed to get kids excited about potty training. Boys may need to learn to use the potty while sitting down first. When he is able to grasp the concept, he can urinate while standing up and begin focusing on correct aim. If you feel that your child is having an especially difficult time learning to potty train, speak with your child's pediatrician.
- Do not scold your child for having accidents. In order to be successful, potty training needs to be a positive experience.
