Toilet Learning Part One

If you have a toddler, you have most likely been asked the standard question, “Is she potty trained yet?” Even more likely is that your answer is no! Ultimately toilet learning will not be achieved unless your child is ready. This usually occurs when a child is 18 to 24 months of age. However, it is not uncommon for a child to still be in diapers at 2 and a half to 3 years of age.

Most kids don't start potty training until they're at least 2 years old. In fact, recent statistics show that at least a third of all American children are still in diapers after their 3rd birthday. Developmentally, kids are all over the map: Some kids are ready and eager to start as early as 18 months, while others show zero interest until they're three or four years old.

More important than your child's age are a number of other factors: Can he stay dry for at least three hours during the day? Is he able to understand and follow simple directions? Does he seem interested in "big-kid" activities, such as brushing his teeth, cleaning up his toys, and using the toilet? If so, he may be ready.

Other important signs of your child’s readiness include:
•being able to follow simple instructions
•understands words about the toileting process
•can regulate the muscles responsible for elimination
•can signal that their diaper is wet or soiled
•expresses a need to go (verbally or through sign)
•keeps a diaper dry for three or more hours
•can get to the potty on her own
•can take off diapers or pull down underpants with minimal assistance
•wakes up dry from naps and or in the morning

Your toddler may be showing all the signs of readiness, but did you know that you also have to be completely ready for the toilet learning process? You truly need to have the energy, patience, and time. After initial preparation and to officially begin this process, you will need to devote an intensive three to five days to your child and his toilet learning. Then, after the initial learning phase, another two to three months of continued effort on your part will be required.

We all know parenting is not easy. Getting through this developmental milestone is one great example of just how hard it is! An experienced mother of four once told me, “Being toilet trained is such an overrated accomplishment. Diapers are so easy in comparison to cleaning up after accidents, reminding them to go, and using public rest rooms! Yuck!”

If you have made the commitment to work with your child on a daily basis so that they can master their toilet learning skills, the next thing you are probably thinking is, “How do I actually go about potty training?” Stay tuned for what to do next . . .