When Your Child is Ready and The Basic of Potty Training Your Child

Is your Child Ready?

One of the first steps in potty training your child is to ensure that he or she is ready to be potty trained. While there are no set rules when it comes to the age of the child as some are ready by two years of age and some are not ready until two and a half or even older, there are several things which may help you to determine whether or not this may be the right time for them.

Some of the behaviors your child exhibits may be an indication that they are ready such as expressing interest in using the toilet or wearing underwear, expressing a dislike when their diapers are wet or soiled, and showing indications such as certain facial expressions when they need to go to the bathroom.

Your child should also have certain cognitive and physical skills such as being able to understand simple directions, knowledge of the basic vocabulary for being able to ask and understand questions related to potty training, the ability to pull his or her pants or training pants up and down, as well as having long periods of dryness and regular bowel movements which are predictable.

If your child exhibits many of these behaviors and skills, then they are most likely ready for potty training.

Tips for Toilet Training your Child

The first thing you want to ensure is that a potty training chair is always readily available in the bathroom. Some potty chairs come with a removable seat which can be removed and placed on the toilet later on when your child is ready.

Let your child become comfortable with the potty chair by letting them sit on it with or without their diaper for a few minutes. It is best that boys also learn to urinate at first by sitting down as urination and bowel movements tend to come at the same time and this can be easier on them when they are initially learning how to use the toilet.

Set up a regular schedule to have your child sit on the chair at specific times of the day and give them something such as a toy or potty training book to read. Be consistent with your potty training by also letting other family members know what your schedule is for the training so that when the child is in their care they follow the same routine.

Try and be alert as to the signs of when your child may need to go to the bathroom such as wiggling or squirming and get them to the toilet as soon as possible. Be sure and praise your child for every success and even when they have made an effort and were not successful.

Never scold your child if they have an accident as this will happen a few times during potty training and reassure them that eventually they will be successful in learning how to use the potty chair.

When it May be Best to try Again another Time

If your child shows a great deal of resistance when it comes to toilet training, there is no need to force the issue as she or he may just not be ready. Wait and try again after a couple of months which also applies if your child seems to have great amount of difficulty when it comes to learning the basics of using the toilet.