Potty training or going to the bathroom can be a frustrating time for parents and young children. My wife and I are nearing the end of potty training with our son, but I wish we had prepared a little earlier to make the process easier for everyone.
Most children learn to start with the bladder and then the intestines, between two and three years of age. Girls often before boys. Most parents (well, at least my wife and I!) really only start thinking about potty training when their child hits the age of two.
But there is a lot of preparation that can be done before this age so that a child is comfortable and acclimated to the idea of going to the bathroom before the experience begins.
Talk to your child about when to go to the bathroom. “Are you peeing? Are you pooping?” Teach them through encouragement to tell you when they are emptying their bladder or having a bowel movement.
Diaper time is ideal for these conversations. “You’ve pooped. Soon you’ll be going to the bathroom to pee and poop like a big boy/girl.” Talk about it weeks or months before putting them in the toilet.
- Read stories and watch children’s programs or DVDs about potty training (such as Elmo’s Potty Time)
- Let him watch adults or older siblings when he goes to the bathroom and see that it is natural and regular.
- Let them flush the toilet
- buy a special seat and footrest for the toilet and sink so they feel safe and can easily wash their hands afterwards.
By around two years of age, your child should be well groomed and able to sit on the toilet at each diaper change. It is usually quite easy at first as they enjoy the excitement of being a big boy or girl. After the excitement wears off, it can be difficult to encourage them to sit down.
Praise them for sitting on the toilet, regardless of their success. Give them a clap, a cheer, a high five, a stamp or a sticker every time they sit on the toilet, no matter how briefly. Then put them back in a diaper (reuse the same diaper if it’s dry), then follow the potty routine of using a small amount of tissue, flushing the toilet, and washing your hands.
Praise them in front of others on how great they are for sitting on the toilet. They love that! Our son loved showing visitors how he could sit on the toilet by himself.
To encourage success while in the bathroom, they will need to spend some time there at first. It’s a good idea to keep a small basket of books in the bathroom so you can sit and read to them while they’re sitting there. That first pee in the toilet is a big deal for parents and children!
Put them in the toilet at normal “go” times, such as after waking up, after meals, before bathing, and before bed.
After sufficient preparation (weeks or months, depending on the child), they will begin to show signs that they are ready to go to the bathroom. Pulling on diapers, sometimes with words, stomping on feet, etc. Now it’s time for training pants.
To begin with, take them to the bathroom every hour. Don’t give them a choice by asking, just tell them, “It’s time to go potty” and take them by the hand. Sooner or later, most two-year-olds start to object when they realize they have to stop playing for a while to go to the bathroom. At this point, don’t let them leave the bathroom until they’ve sat down and “performed.” They already know what to do. Encourage them by saying things like “As soon as you have grass we can go draw, play with your favorite toy, etc.”
Be positive and praise small successes. Accidents happen. Don’t scold them. Talk to them and say, “Wow, you peed on the floor. We pee in the toilet, right? Next time we’ll hit the toilet.” You can also encourage them to tell you when they need to leave. After accidents, complete the usual bathroom routine: sit on the toilet, use paper, flush the toilet, and wash your hands. If they don’t follow the routine, they will soon see the benefits of wetting their pants.
Once your child wears pants during the day, don’t go back to wearing diapers, except for sleep periods. It is too confusing for children to know when they are in diapers and when they are in pants. After an accident, he puts his pants back on. I’m sorry!
Of course, there are times when pants are not convenient. Huggies “pull ups” are great for getting out when he’s potty training. He doesn’t use them as a diaper. But they offer peace of mind in case the kids don’t make it to the bathroom on time.
To limit accidents while you’re away:
- take your child to the bathroom before every outing
- take your child to the bathroom between shops
- carry a potty chair with you in the car for emergencies
- take spare clothes with you.
The hourly routine must still be maintained while you are away.
Most children will wet the bed at night long after they are dry during the day. Keep them in diapers at night and take them to the bathroom as soon as they wake up.
Consistency between home and daycare or other caregivers is very important. Remember to be positive and delight in each success of your child. Best of luck and I hope this guide helps you through this sometimes challenging process!
This article was compiled with the help of our local child care center: The Village Early Learning Centre.