When To Start Potty Training & Tips For Success
One of the most fulfilling events in a young child’s life is when they are able to use the toilet successfully. However, the journey to reach that goal may come with worries, frustration, and anxiety for the parents. You can relax because we are here to help you make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved!
First things first! Readiness to start the potty training journey is not dependent on only age as children develop differently within an age range. Look for signs of readiness listed below and if the majority of the answers are Yes, you can proceed. However, if most of the answers are No, it may be best to wait until these are present.
Is your child ready? Ask yourself:
Can your child walk to and sit on a toilet?
Can your child pull down their pants or pull up her dress?
Can your child stay dry for up to two hours?
Can your child understand and follow basic directions?
Tips For Success
Tip 1: Pick A Day To Start
If you work during the week, then Saturday is a good time to start. Make sure you pick a day your child is not sick, in a bad mood, and not in the middle of a major life event, such as after the arrival of a new baby sibling. We suggest waiting until your child has been at HEI Schools for 2 months before starting so they have enough time to adapt to the school.
Tip 2: No Diapers
Tell your child that the diapers are not needed anymore during the day and it’s time to poop and pee in the potty. If your child is agreeable to this, put the diapers somewhere they are not seen. However, if your child is more possessive of their diapers, you can find a special place to put them during the day until they are used again during naptime or at night.
Tip 3: Find The Potty
A small portable potty is lower to the ground and easier to start with as it seems less intimidating than the toilet. You can place it in the bathroom and can also consider having another one elsewhere in your home where your child often spends time. Also, many products for modifying an adult toilet seat are available but consider adding a stepstool for this, such as one that includes both the stepstool and smaller seat in a combo.
Tip 4: Can I Get A Witness?
The journey starts with witnessing: watching and observing another person going through that process themselves. The process takes a lot of confidence-building, even if children are physically capable of it. So, if you are comfortable with the lack of privacy, modeling how to use the toilet is helpful for children.
Start by allowing them to sit on the potty without their diaper on just to see what it's like and explore. Do not expect that they will be able to urinate there the first time they sit on the potty. It can take children a long time before they actually urinate in the potty after several sittings. Also, keep in mind that some children will be able to pee in the potty, but won't be able to poop soon after (pooping is usually learned after they have mastered urination in the toilet).
Tip 6: Go Naked On The Bottom!
For the first 2-3 days, at home and in warmer weather, dress your child with a T-shirt so there are no clothing obstacles in the way on the bottom. The next step is wearing pants without underwear. When you have had regular success with this (about 1-2 weeks), the child can start wearing underwear.
Tip 7: Remember To Relax
Learning to use the potty is a normal, natural skill, just like learning to walk. It requires practice. So, relax and go with the flow.
Tip 8: Observe
Many children will make a “poop face” or do a “pee pee dance” when they feel the urge to go. So, watch closely so that you can learn to recognize the subtle signs and take your child to the potty quickly as possible when these signs occur.
Tip 9: Go Regularly
For the first 2 days, try setting up a potty ritual where you take your child to the potty about every hour to every 2 hours, especially before and after nap time and bedtime.
References: "Toddler Discipline for Every Age & Stage" by Aubrey Hargis
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