Potty Training: Is Your Child Ready for It?

Help yourself save money from buying disposable diapers by teaching your kid how to use the toilet! But first things first, you have to make sure that your little one is ready. Otherwise, the training is less likely to succeed.

How do we know they are ready?

It might sound easy, but there’s much more to it than what meets the eye. Here are the signs that will signify your child’s readiness to be potty trained:

1. They have developed enough motor skills to be able to remove or put on clothing on their own.
2. They should know if they are about to poop or pee.
3. They should be able to comprehend and respond to verbal cues.
4. They have a regular schedule for bowel movement.
5. Most importantly, they should be willing to cooperate.

Children grow at varying rates and they are also bound to absorb new information at their own pace. It’s important to put this in mind every time we teach them new things.

So they are ready, now what?

It’s your time to get ready.

Watch out for changes in facial expression and body language. Being able to perceive that they need to go potty before they exhibit the need to, is one of the keys to make this training a success.

What happens during toilet training?

Before anything else, remember that toilet training should not become a negative experience for your child. Otherwise, the whole regimen could backfire completely.

In some cases, little ones withhold pooping altogether and become constipated!

Nobody wants that to happen. Here are some tricks you can do:

1. Create a daily routine to encourage them. Let them sit on the toilet in the morning, after meals and before going to bed.
2. Help them become comfortable. Try installing a potty seat for your child to prevent them from falling in.
3. Practice positive reinforcement. If they don’t feel like going, tell them it’s okay and thank them for their cooperation. This will promote good behavior and they will be more likely to use the toilet on their own.
4. Give incentive for a job well done. Kids are found to be more participative when they have something to look forward to. Offer a change in big kid’s (A.K.A. cloth) underwear at repeated success, and don’t forget to celebrate! Being toilet trained is a milestone in your child’s development!

What if it’s not working?

Toilet training is not something that can be learned overnight. Be patient. A number of factors (such as stress, anxiety, changes in the environment, etc.) can affect your child’s mastery of using the toilet. Pause the training for a while, but don’t give up. Eventually, your child will be able to handle the task on their own, don’t worry. Just keep persevering.

If you’re in search of a Child Care near Liberty Hill, TX, then Hilltop Children’s Center has your needs covered. Call us at 512-966-1106 for more information about our curriculum or enrollment.