Looking for the Potty Time Signs.
Experts suggest that parents look for signs of physical, emotional, and cognitive readiness before attempting to toilet train. Most signs begin to emerge between 18 and 24 months of age, though this may vary.
Here are some Potty Time Readiness signs to look for:
Your child stays dry for at least two hours during the day and is dry after naps, which indicates that she's able to remain dry for an extended period of time.
Your child can follow simple instructions, such as a request to sit down or remove his clothing.
Shows an interest in wearing underwear.
Walk to and from the bathroom, sit still on his own for at least a few minutes.
Shows obvious signs of discomfort when the diaper is soiled.
Has predictable bowel movements on a regular basis.
Expresses an interest in using the toilet or potty seat.
Indicates through facial expression, posture, or language that he's ready to use the toilet.
Your child asks to wear grown-up underwear.
Your child may be ready to begin when the diaper stays dry more and more often overnight.
Your child will begin to notice the potty and want to sit on the toilet.
The child may express displeasure with a wet or dirty diaper, or may not want to wear a diaper anymore.
Before you start.
Teaching your child to use the toilet takes time, understanding, and patience. The important thing to remember is that you can not rush your child into using the toilet.
Each Child Is Different When It Comes to Toilet Training. What works for one may not be successful for another. That is why you need an arsenal of tools and tricks to get your youngster interested and keep him or her with the program until you have achieved that goal of independence.
The very basics of toilet training begin with the big picture of your family. Stress in the home may make learning this important new skill more difficult. Sometimes it is a good idea to delay toilet training in the following situations:
Your family has just moved or will move in the near future.
You are expecting a baby or you have recently had a new baby.
There is a major illness, a recent death, or some other family crisis.
However, if your child is learning how to use the toilet without problems, there is no need to stop because of these situations.
It's Important to Be Relaxed About Toilet Training and Avoid Becoming Upset. Remember that no one can control when and where a child urinates or has a bowel movement except the child. Try to avoid a power struggle. Children at the toilet training age are becoming aware of their individuality. They look for ways to test their limits. Toilet training is a truly straight forward process with many steps that your child can master in just a few days or a few long months. If you wait until he or she is ready to begin, it will most likely go a lot smoother for both of you.
Punishments When Toilet Training. It is not recommended that you use negative reinforcements (verbal reprimands, punishments or spankings) when the child has an accident or wets the bed. Positive reinforcement as simple as a hug, sticker or praise for successful potty event is much more effective.
Disclaimer:This article is solely for educational purposes.
