by Lyn Lomasi

Created on: September 24, 2010

Some aspects of potty training are the same, no matter your child's gender. However, some advice should be geared toward either girls or boys. As a mother to multiple children, I feel my potty training tips for girls may be helpful to other parents.

Teach Toilet Vocabulary
Before and during potty training, teach your little girl related vocabulary. Be sure that she not only hears the words, but can say them, understand what they mean, and also knows when to use them.

Buy Her Own Potty
Make sure your child has her own toilet (a potty chair). Some things feel more meaningful to a child if they get to have their own version. Also, a potty chair will be easier for your little girl to use.

Potty Time Means Sitting Down
Little girls should of course be taught to sit during potty training. Be sure to teach them the proper way to sit on the toilet or potty chair.

Read Her Potty Training Books
Books on potty training geared toward little girls can also be a big help. Be sure to visit the library or bookstore for these. The story lines and friendly pictures can help familiarize a child with potty training.

When Possible, Mom Should Potty Train a Girl
Girls should be potty trained by girls. Whenever possible, mom should be the one potty training her little girl. This is so that mom can show her the proper way to use the toilet. Children learn many actions by mimicking others.

Practice Patience
Your little girl may not get it right the first time - or even after several tries. Accidents are bound to happen. Practice patience when dealing with these instances. She is just learning how and why to control what has previously not been something she had to think about much.

Practice Consistency
Once you decide upon a schedule and methods for potty training your little girl, be consistent. There are many "correct" ways to potty train girls. Sticking to one single plan is more effective than trying every method out there.

Ditch the Diapers
There are going to be times where diapers may seem like the easy way, but in the long run, switching back and forth only teaches your little girl that using the toilet is an option, not a must.

Applaud Success, But Don't Make Failure a Huge Issue
It is important to reward and acknowledge your child during successful moments in potty training. However, do not make your little girl feel bad when she does not do well. Remember that she is trying and some girls naturally have more difficulty gaining control than others.

Make it Fun
In my experience, adding creativity and fun to potty training helped it be more successful. Let your little girl pick out fun stickers to be given as rewards for completing steps (use the potty, wipe, flush, wash hands) successfully. Potty training charts, books, and games may also help.

Learn more about this author, Lyn Lomasi.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.