For many parents, summer time is not only a time to enjoy the warm weather, but also a perfect time to initiate potty training with their child. During the summer time, some families want to use this time to train their son or daughter how to use the toilet due to having a more flexible schedule. This task of trying to potty train your little one may seem overwhelming, but the first step is to make sure that your son or daughter is ready to be potty trained.
Potty Training Readiness Behaviors
Potty Training Readiness Behaviors
Listed below is a list of behaviors that may indicate that your son or daughter is ready to be potty trained:
- Tells you that he/she is interested in becoming potty trained (i.e. asks questions about the potty chair, looks at the toilet, etc.)
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Can follow basic directions (one to two step directions)
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Asks questions (i.e. What is that? What does it do?)
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Stays dry for two or more hours during the day
- Stays dry during naps
- Has bowel movements on a regular basis (i.e. after wakes up in the morning and after lunch every day)
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Tells you that they feel "poopy" or "pee" coming
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Tells you that he/she does not like having wet or poopy diapers (i.e. tells you that they have pooped or pee in their diaper and whines or repeats self until you change him/her)
- Pull down and up pants/shorts
If your are seeing many of these potty training readiness behaviors, you may want to try to start the adventure of potty training your son/daughter.
Potty Training Tips
Listed below are some tips on helping your child become successful with potty training:
- Put a potty chair in the bathroom for your child (Make sure that your child can place their feet on the bathroom floor when they sit on his/her potty chair)
- Develop a schedule for your child to use the potty chair (i.e. when he/she wakes up in morning, after snack, etc.) and encourage him/her to use it when they feel the need to do so
- Take your son/daughter to their potty chair if you notice him/her squirming, fussing, etc. right away
- Read a book to your child while he/she is trying to use the potty chair
- Teach your child how to wipe themselves after usage of the potty chair, flush the toilet, and wash hands
- Provide rewards if needed (i.e. earn a sticker, do a special activity at home, read favorite book, etc.)
- Be consistent
- Buy underwear of their choice to use during this training
- When your child does use the potty chair, provide verbal praise (i.e."You did a great job." )
Potty training can become quite an adventure for both the child and his/her parents. It is important to make sure that your child is ready by determining whether or not he/she is demonstrating potty training readiness behaviors. If so, considering some of the tips listed above can make this endeavor a successful one.
