When it comes to potty training toddlers, there are three key stages: preparation, preparation, and potty training techniques.
Preparing for potty training
Before you begin your potty training journey, it’s important to understand that the key to your success will be making sure your child is potty ready.
There is much more to consider than just the age of your child. Using the potty requires a lot of skill and you may be banging your head against a brick wall if you decide you want your toddler to be potty trained before it is possible for them developmentally. Once you’ve established that your child is ready and you’ve chosen the best time for you and your family, then it’s time to get started.
Tips on preparing for potty training
- Model proper toilet use for your toddlers who are potty trained. Let them see you go.
- Make sure you have all the equipment you will need. You could buy this with your child to really help motivate him.
- Read all about potty training toddlers yourself.
- Explore some of the many toddler potty training resources you can get specifically for girls and specifically for boys. Choose the ones that are right for you and your child.
- Talk for real using the potty. Make it sound fun and exciting.
- Allow your child to go commando (bare bottoms!) at certain times of the day.
- Make sure your child has a ‘potty training’ vocabulary.
Some Potty Training Techniques
- Help motivate your child. What ways can you think of that will actually make your child want to use the potty? You know them best.
- You may want to use a sticker chart.
- Use a doll to help model the behavior. First potty train the doll. You can get some great wet/dry dolls, that get wet when you feed them and come with their own potties.
- Watch potty training videos with your toddler.
- Read books with your toddler about potty use.
- Start wearing training pants (and clean up lumps as they occur) OR wear lifted diapers OR a combination of both.
- Watch your toddler. What are your signs to show you that they are about to leave? Is there a pattern in the times that go?
- Look at the clock. Set a timer and take your child to the bathroom every hour and after meals.
- Turn on a faucet while your toddler is sitting on the potty. (The sound of dripping water is very suggestive!)
- Make sure that you and other family members are really enthusiastic and supportive.
- Prodigal in praise.
- Make a game of using the potty.
- Teach your child good hygiene, such as hand washing.