You have decided it is time to get your toddler out of diapers and so you are trying to figure out how you are going to potty train your child. If this is your story, then you will definitely need some tips and advice for potty training boys and girls.
The most important thing to understand about the potty training process is that it requires loads of patience and a willingness to accept setbacks – and that goes for both you and your child! And don’t forget to recognize all those little successes along the way.
Before you decide to start toilet training, make sure the household environment is stable and that all family members are prepared to help in the process. Talk with your child about having a bowel movement and about urinating. Your child may be more comfortable saying "poop" and "pee." It is fine to use these words, but use the proper terms as well so the child learns what they mean.
 Don't begin training until your child shows signs that he/she is ready. Every child is different. Most are ready for training between 2 years and 2+ years (Some as young as 18 months or as old as 3 years).
For a child to successfully master toilet training, there are two core concepts that must be assimilated. A child needs to learn how to use the potty. This includes recognizing the urge to go, voluntarily using her muscles to hold it in, walking to the potty, and using different muscles to move the waste out. The second core concept is learning to use the potty consistently. This includes overcoming any reason for resistance, and assuming responsibility for her own toileting.
Start at a time when you can spend a lot of time with your child, when your child seems complacent, happy and there are no major distractions or traumatic events in his/her life (new sibling, divorce, moving, new caretaker etc.).
Before toilet training your child, place a potty chair in your child's normal living and play area so that your child will become familiar with the potty. Consider placing a potty chair on each floor of the house if you live in a multilevel home. Allow your child to observe, touch and become familiar with the potty chair.
Tell your child that the potty chair is his or her own chair. Allow your child to sit fully clothed on the potty chair, as if it were a regular chair. Allow your child to leave the potty chair at any time. Do not force your child to spend time sitting on the chair.
After your child has become used to the potty chair and sits on it regularly with his or her clothes on, try having your child sit on the potty without wearing pants and a diaper. Let your child become comfortable with sitting on the potty without wearing pants and a diaper.
 The next step is to show your child how the potty chair is used. Place stool from a dirty diaper into the potty chair. Allow your child to observe the transfer of the bowel movement from the potty chair into the toilet. Let your child flush the toilet and watch the bowel movement disappear down the toilet.
It may take up to 3 months. It is important for you to be patient and supportive. Do not punish your child when he or she has an accident.
If your child is not toilet trained within 3 months, consult your family doctor. The most likely reason your child has not learned to use the potty is that your child is not yet ready for toilet training.
|
Fresh and Informative General Knowledge Articles
Knowledge Diary Home
| 
Sign Up as Writer | 
Glossary | 
Contact Us 
How to Potty Train Your Kids?
File Attachments
User Comments 
Related Questions 
Search Knowledge Base