Simple steps for potty training your child

  This post is written by Jess who is a mom of two and the nursery Business Co-ordinator for Little Green House Childcare.

Potty training is something that many parents don’t look forward to. I found this with my daughter, however, waiting till she was ready to potty train made the whole period a lot more enjoyable.

How do I know my child is ready to potty train?

This varies from child to child; children need to have a lot of things in place in their mind to be able to potty train. I found that children are showing signs of being ready when they can tell you they have done something in their nappy. From around the age of 18 months Ava would tell me when she had done a poo as she hated being in it but was oblivious that she had done a wee. So, we waited as I knew she wasn’t
ready. Eventually she started telling me when she had done a wee. I waited a few months till this was consistent and she was telling me regularly that she needed her nappy changing. So that I knew she understood what her body was telling her.

What to do next

A milestone

You need to make sure that your child is at the centre of this exciting milestone. Even with things like buying pants. I remember taking Ava shopping for pants, she picked which ones she wanted and was so proud of them. I found this helped because she didn’t want to get her new pants that she loved wet. She wanted to show people these amazing new Paw Patrol pants that she had. She also loved picking what pair she was going to wear and still does now, at four years old, bless her.

Potty or toilet?

Potty or toilet? This is not something you should be deciding, it is something your child should be deciding. Ava hated the toilet to start with. Even with a child’s seat on the toilet she feared falling in. So, we opted for a potty. Then transitioned to a toilet once she was more confident. As with the pants let your child pick what potty they want. Yes, they will pick the most garish one that doesn’t fit in with your bathroom décor but hey they love it!

From personal experience of working in a nursery I would say try not to get them too attached to one potty as this can cause an issue. Especially when you’re out and about or at nursery. No one wants to have to carry a specific potty around with them especially when you know there is a perfectly okay potty at the soft play your going to.

Praise

Praise them, this needs to be done after every time they go on the potty. Especially at the start you need to boost their confidence. They need to see that going to the potty is a good thing. That even if they sit on it and do nothing, they get a high five and a clap. Then when they do something praise them even more. I remember dancing around our house the first few weeks with Ava when she had done something on the potty. She thought it was amazing and loved seeing both mine and her dad’s reactions. She also especially loved to
ring nanny and Grandad to tell them. She was praise from everywhere and she thrived off it.

I know sticker charts have worked with many children I have looked after over the years. Maybe if they get so many stickers, they get a little treat. It doesn’t have to be huge it could be a chocolate button or a
trip to the park. Something you know they will love.

Accidents happen

Don’t stress or get upset with them. Accidents are going to happen its a given. They are learning a new important skill. Don’t make a big thing of it. Clean them up, pop some more clothes on them and carry on with your day.


Take your time

I personally think the most important thing is to make sure your child is happy with what is happening. If they don’t want to do it then don’t make them, it’s fine, they will do It in their own time. Also remember if your child has additional needs, they may not be potty training the same time as their peers and that is also fine. Make this a fun milestone for both you and your child.