by Suzanne Pilkington

Created on: June 16, 2009

Potty Training: The Toddler Frontier

Potty training, like everything you teach your child, is about steps. Sure, there are books on how to potty train in a day, but those methods often require you to spend every waking second of that day focused on potty training. This may work great for some parents, but for others who don't have that kind of time or patience, a step program may work better.

First, look for signs that your child is ready. Children who may be ready to start the potty training experience can show a variety of behaviors: taking off his or her own diaper, showing interest when others use the bathroom, playing with the toilet, and staying dry for long periods of time.

If you feel that your child exhibits some signs of readiness, it may be time to introduce the potty. Some children are ready to sit right on the potty right away, and others may need a little time to feel comfortable with its presence. To increase comfort, focus on the show-and-tell process. Have your child observe you or your older children using the bathroom to see the steps involved. If you are uncomfortable with this, try using a doll to demonstrate. There are also many great children's books and videos available that introduce the potty with fun songs and games.

Some potty training methods differ in opinion on how long a child should sit on the potty and what he or she should do while there. Some methods instruct you not to use any toys or books, as it will distract from the intended purpose. Other methods call for placing books or toys near the potty to help your child feel comfortable. Every child and sometimes every trip to the potty is different. Using a toy or book can sometimes make the length of time spent on the potty a little longer, which can help. There are of course some cases where toys or books may be a distraction.

In regard to how long to have a child sit on the potty, some parents prefer the child sit as long as possible to increase the odds of going, while others prefer short periods of time before having the child try again later. Try different lengths of time until you find what clicks for you and your child.

Rewards are a great way to treat your child when he or she has successfully used the potty. The sticker reward is good, as it is easy to keep a pack of stickers near the potty. Other parents prefer to offer a new toy or candy, but this can lead to

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>