There's no magic age at which children are ready to start learning how to use the potty/toilet. Most children develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills between 18 and 24 months of age.
Is your child ready?
Physical signs of being ready Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily. Urinates a fair amount at one time. Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times. Has "dry" periods of at least two hours or during naps, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.
Cognitive signs of being ready Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty. Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy.“ Understands the value of putting things where they belong. Has words for urine and stool.
Behavioural signs of being ready Can sit down quietly in one position for two to three minutes. Can pull his pants up and down. Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty nappy. Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).
Behavioural signs of being ready continued… Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you. Demonstrates a desire for independence. Takes pride in his accomplishments. Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet. Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.
Is your child ready for Potty Training? Click Here for video
Does anyone have any questions about the signs of being ready?
How to get ready for potty training with your child if they are ready...
Getting ready for potty training Go on a special trip with your child to buy some new pants and a potty. You may want to buy a training seat to attach to your toilet. If your child uses a toilet seat, you'll also need a footstep so your child can stabilise themselves with their feet and push when he's having a poo. It will also allow him to get on and off the loo independently.
Books that make children aware of toileting in their nappy
Books to get ready for potty training…
Potty Training Step 1 – Make sure you are talking to your child when changing their nappy. Model language on wee and poo to develop children’s understanding of what is in their nappy.
Step 2 - Children learn by copying, and watching you use the bathroom is a natural way to understand what using the toilet is all about. If you have a son, it's simpler to teach him to wee sitting down at this young age.
Step 3 – Swap from nappies to pull ups. Talk about this with your child and praise them for being a big boy/girl for wearing these
Step 4 – Pulling trousers and up and down on their own. Stop putting baby grows on them. Tights under trousers also make this difficult
Step 5 – Introduce the potty and use it in play with your child.
Step 6 – Encourage child to sit on the potty for a little while. Offer lots of praise for doing this.
Step 7 – Child uses their potty for toileting
Step 8 - Ditch the pull ups and buy some knickers and pants for children to use instead
Step 9 – Child moves on from the potty to the toilet.
Step 10 – Flushes the toilet and washes hands
Easy Peasy???
Consistency... Once you have started toilet training your child consistency is really important. Don’t put nappies on them to go out shopping just have spare clothes in a bag. There is no point in toilet training them in preschool if you are not doing it at home too and vice versa.
Accidents happen • Be calm and do not punish your child... It won’t help! • Clear up the mess and suggest next time they try the toilet. • Offer lots of praise when they do use the toilet (although not every time or they will feel pressured). • Getting used to using the toilet takes a lot of time.
Remember... • They have only just learnt to hold the muscles in their tummy. • They get distracted easily and genuinely forget to go. • They are still young! • They probably won’t be dry at night for a long time.
Rewards and Praise
If these can be trained it wont be long before you child is too.
