The task of potty training a toddler can be an overwhelming and somewhat daunting experience for parents. It is difficult to determine when a child is ready to be toilet trained or how to begin the potty training process.
When to Start Potty Training
Most toddlers are not fully potty trained before the age of 3 with many parents starting the potty training process between the ages of 18 and 24 months. Often times, toddlers will show signs of potty training readiness, indicating that they are ready to begin the uncharted territory of using the toilet or potty.
Signs that a toddler is ready to begin potty training include:
- Demonstrating an interest and curiosity in the toilet and how it is used.
- Has the ability to pull up a diaper and take a diaper off.
- Is aware of and verbalizes the fact that he or she needs to use the potty.
- Understands what is going on when urinating or having a bowel movement.
When a toddler shows an interest in the bathroom and toilet, likes to take off or pull on a diaper and verbalizes or recognizes that he or she has to go to the potty, it may be time to start the potty training process.
How to Encourage a Toddler to Use the Potty
A toddler who is ready to be potty trained may take to the potty very quickly. However, more often than not, potty training takes a significant amount of time, dedication and effort and can have a few setbacks.
Relapses during the potty training process is normal and to be expected simply because the ability to successfully use the potty is a learned skill and any time a toddler, or anyone else for that matter, learns something new there are bound to be a few setbacks.
Ways to introduce potty training to a toddler include:
- Allow a toddler to pick out his or her own potty.
- Encourage a toddler to play with the potty and be comfortable around the potty.
- Have the toddler to sit on the potty and then take some time to explain how it is used.
Start a routine by having the child sit on the potty whenever her or she gets up in the morning. Continue the routine after nap times and meal times. This will encourage regular intervals of potty use. Offer rewards in the form of verbal praise and clapping.
Allowing a toddler to pick out a potty as well as encouraging a toddler to play with the potty, sit on the potty and use the potty will create a sense of familiarity, comfort and confidence when the toilet training begins.
General Potty Training Tips
Make positive and reassuring comments to encourage a toddler to use the potty. When an accident happens refrain from making comments about it. Instead, offer a change of clothing and a nice dry pair of training pants. Remaining supportive during setbacks and accidents will support a toddler during the potty training process and prevent negative associations with the use of the potty.
Potty training can take a few weeks to a full year of training. Remember that every child is different and learns differently. Remaining supportive and encouraging will help create a fun learning environment for a toddler and help to facilitate the potty training process.
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