Parenting Guideline
Make Potty Training Your Child Easier By Following These 12 Easy Tips
8 min read | Updated on 15-02-2022 by HappyPreggie
Potty training can be a complicated process especially when every child adapts and learns differently as they slowly grow up. Boys may catch things differently compared to girls and so there isn’t really a perfect step-by-step on how to potty train the correct way.
Nonetheless, the key still comes down to being patient and taking it slowly. Different strategies work with different children so it is always important to pay attention and observe what may work well with your kid. Here are 12 simple tips that are guaranteed to help your potty training journey.
Research shows that most children are usually ready at 18 months while others may take some time until they are approximately 4 or 5 years old. In addition to having better control of their muscles, look for these signs:
Make sure your child is ready for potty training and try not to rush the process. Starting potty training too early when your child has not gotten proper control of their bladder will just make the process complicated and frustrating for both of you.
#2 Get your child motivated
Bring your child along when you are finding a suitable potty for him and ask for his opinions on which colour he prefers. This way, he will feel included and more excited to start the training with his brand-new potty.
#3 Put the potty in a suitable place
Place the potty somewhere your child can access it easily. The most fitting location would be the bathroom where they will also get used to doing their business in the toilet but you can also put it in their bedroom for their convenience.
Create a simple schedule once your little one starts potty training. It is a good idea to take your baby to the potty before she goes to bed and as soon as she wakes up in the morning. This will make your child aware that it is going to be a routine that they should follow.
#5 Purchase underwear as encouragement
Buy your child fun underwear with their favourite cartoon character or superhero graphic and explain to them that they will be able to use it once they know how to use the potty properly. You can also let them try on the underwear at times during the potty training.
#6 Give supporting words
It is important to show your signs of approval towards your child every time they are doing a good job on the potty. You can also give out affectionate gestures like a high-five or a hug to keep their motivation up and tell them that they are doing great.
#7 Train by example
Bring your child together with you the next time you need to use the toilet, and show them how easy it is to pee and poop. Moms may demonstrate the process easier for the girls while dads can handle the boys.
#8 Introduce the toilet slowly
Slowly introduce your child to the toilet by letting them try out the toilet seat once in a while as you keep a close watch on them. Show them that it is something normal to do as humans and you can also provide a step stool or footstool to help them reach the toilet easily.
#9 Use fun magic tricks
Add some blue dye or blue toilet bowl cleaner to your toilet bowl and let your child see the water turn green after they pee. They will definitely find it enjoyable when they watch the water changes colour and bubble up.
#10 Teach target practice
For little boys, it is important for them to know how to pee when standing up and also the correct way to aim. A great way to teach your son this is by dropping a piece of O-shaped cereal into the bowl and encouraging them to hit towards the centre of the circle.
#11 Include favourite toys
Use their favourite doll or teddy bear and act out a little puppet show of the toy going to the toilet for their potty training. This tactic is one of the best ways to make your child feel more motivated during the learning process.
#12 Make pooping less scary
For some children, passing a bowel movement might be a hard and scary experience. This may lead to their reluctance to poop which can cause issues like stomachaches and constipation. Teach your child that pooping is a natural process by showing them cartoon characters doing the stuff to prove that it is a natural process.
It is very important to be as patient as you can throughout the process and never lash out or show signs of frustration when something didn’t meet your expectation. Children are usually able to control their bladder and bowels better when they are physically ready and when they want to be dry and clean. As your baby grows into a toddler and beyond, you will find them to become more and more independent with everything that they learn. Until the day comes, remember that good things take time and your child will eventually get there soon.
Want to read more? Check out how you can learn baby sign language to communicate with your child and some of these simple steps to handle upset toddlers.
(Image credits to Today’s Parents)
Nonetheless, the key still comes down to being patient and taking it slowly. Different strategies work with different children so it is always important to pay attention and observe what may work well with your kid. Here are 12 simple tips that are guaranteed to help your potty training journey.
How to know your child is ready for potty training?
Research shows that most children are usually ready at 18 months while others may take some time until they are approximately 4 or 5 years old. In addition to having better control of their muscles, look for these signs:
(Image credits to OZY)
- Demands for cleaning: Your child may begin to show signs of being grossed out by their dirty diapers and keep asking for you to change them quickly.
- Less diaper changing: When a toddler manages to stay dry for an hour or two, it can be a sign that they are getting better at bladder control and is ready for potty training.
- Regular bowel movements: Your child has started to develop a daily routine for pooping.
- Clear expressions: Your child does not shy away when it comes to expressing their need to poop or pee.
Potty Training Tips
#1 Ensure that your child is truly prepared
Make sure your child is ready for potty training and try not to rush the process. Starting potty training too early when your child has not gotten proper control of their bladder will just make the process complicated and frustrating for both of you.
(Image credits to AliExpress)
#2 Get your child motivated
Bring your child along when you are finding a suitable potty for him and ask for his opinions on which colour he prefers. This way, he will feel included and more excited to start the training with his brand-new potty.
#3 Put the potty in a suitable place
Place the potty somewhere your child can access it easily. The most fitting location would be the bathroom where they will also get used to doing their business in the toilet but you can also put it in their bedroom for their convenience.
#4 Start a schedule
Create a simple schedule once your little one starts potty training. It is a good idea to take your baby to the potty before she goes to bed and as soon as she wakes up in the morning. This will make your child aware that it is going to be a routine that they should follow.
#5 Purchase underwear as encouragement
Buy your child fun underwear with their favourite cartoon character or superhero graphic and explain to them that they will be able to use it once they know how to use the potty properly. You can also let them try on the underwear at times during the potty training.
#6 Give supporting words
It is important to show your signs of approval towards your child every time they are doing a good job on the potty. You can also give out affectionate gestures like a high-five or a hug to keep their motivation up and tell them that they are doing great.
(Image credits to Pinterest)
#7 Train by example
Bring your child together with you the next time you need to use the toilet, and show them how easy it is to pee and poop. Moms may demonstrate the process easier for the girls while dads can handle the boys.
#8 Introduce the toilet slowly
Slowly introduce your child to the toilet by letting them try out the toilet seat once in a while as you keep a close watch on them. Show them that it is something normal to do as humans and you can also provide a step stool or footstool to help them reach the toilet easily.
#9 Use fun magic tricks
Add some blue dye or blue toilet bowl cleaner to your toilet bowl and let your child see the water turn green after they pee. They will definitely find it enjoyable when they watch the water changes colour and bubble up.
#10 Teach target practice
For little boys, it is important for them to know how to pee when standing up and also the correct way to aim. A great way to teach your son this is by dropping a piece of O-shaped cereal into the bowl and encouraging them to hit towards the centre of the circle.
(Image credits to The Spruce Crafts)
#11 Include favourite toys
Use their favourite doll or teddy bear and act out a little puppet show of the toy going to the toilet for their potty training. This tactic is one of the best ways to make your child feel more motivated during the learning process.
#12 Make pooping less scary
For some children, passing a bowel movement might be a hard and scary experience. This may lead to their reluctance to poop which can cause issues like stomachaches and constipation. Teach your child that pooping is a natural process by showing them cartoon characters doing the stuff to prove that it is a natural process.
It is very important to be as patient as you can throughout the process and never lash out or show signs of frustration when something didn’t meet your expectation. Children are usually able to control their bladder and bowels better when they are physically ready and when they want to be dry and clean. As your baby grows into a toddler and beyond, you will find them to become more and more independent with everything that they learn. Until the day comes, remember that good things take time and your child will eventually get there soon.
Want to read more? Check out how you can learn baby sign language to communicate with your child and some of these simple steps to handle upset toddlers.
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