Most children become fully potty trained between the ages of two and four years old. However, each child is ready to begin potty training when they display signs that they are ready. Some signs that a child is ready to begin potty training are the ability to follow directions and the ability to keep their diaper dry for at least two hours. Your child should know the difference between wet and dry and want a wet diaper removed, as well as be able to walk to and then sit on their potty. Sometimes a child who is ready to begin potty training will show physical ‘gotta go’ signs, like squatting or wriggling legs close together- or they may even develop a certain look in their eyes or climb under the kitchen table!
However, even if your child displays many of the signs that indicate they are ready to begin potty training, they may not really be ready and there is nothing you can do to force the readiness process. If your child seems late potty training, rest assured it will happen just the same as drinking from a cup was achieved when the child was truly ready to do so.
When the potty training process first begins, consistent key words should be used and associated with having to go potty. In the beginning, it can be more effective to use statements as opposed to questions with a child who is potty training, such as ‘ It is time to go potty now’ as opposed to ‘Do you have to go potty now?’ when the child first wakes in the morning.
Potty training time is a time for patience, these things cannot be rushed and rewards should be given when any amount of progress is made. Potty training represents a great time to invest in some special ‘potty time only’ books. Knowing that special stories await the trainee if he or she goes to use the potty can add to the attraction of learning to go on the potty as well as be an educational use of the time! Rubber stamps can be used with non-toxic washable ink pads to stamp a variety of available designs on the hand of a child who has successfully used the potty each time they go. Visually apparent rewards like rubber stamp markings or charts with stickers displayed prominently acknowledge the child’s achievements and promote the involvement of others in the family who can reinforce the potty training message by encouraging and congratulating the child when they see the reward signs.
You should never express anger towards a child who is potty training if he or she has had an accident. Potty training is a learning process and you should not embarrass, scold or punish your child if they have an accident. Bringing your child to the bathroom using the distinct language you have chosen to associate with the potty training prior to leaving one place to head towards another will certainly provide the child with the opportunity. However, especially when children are tired or excited, accidents will happen. Rather than being incredibly frustrated, you can be prepared by always carrying extra clothing with you in case your child does need to be changed. Even when it seems like your child will never be potty trained, rest assured that no amount of worry on your part will speed up this learning process. Your child is learning and he or she will learn at their own pace. All you can really do is try to provide the environment and patience in which they can learn, consistent and clear guidance and directives, and reward them for their achievements.
Dr. Randy Cale, a Clifton Park-based parenting expert, author, speaker and licensed psychologist, offers practical guidance for a host of parenting concerns. His Web site,
www.TerrificParenting.com,, offers free parenting guidance and an e-mail newsletter.