Potty Training a Child
- 1). Look for cues or signs that your child is ready to begin potty training. This might include the following:
1. Interest in the potty
2. Ability to stay dry for two hours or more or when waking up from sleep
3. Ability to pull pants up and down
4. Ability to follow simple instructions
5. Regular bowel movements - 2). Place a potty chair in the bathroom and explain to your child what it is. Allow her to investigate it and sit on it. Place a basket of books or small toys in the bathroom near the potty. Tell your child that she can look at the books or hold the toys when she sits on the potty.
- 3). Dress your child in clothing that is easy to pull up and down, such as elastic waist pants or shorts. If you're training during the warm summer months, dress her in a shirt and a pull-up or a shirt and underwear to facilitate easy clothing removal.
- 4). As soon as your child opens her eyes in the morning, ask her if she'd like to sit on the potty. Do the same after eating and drinking. Lead by example. Go into the bathroom, if your child is comfortable, and sit on the big potty while she sits on her potty.
- 5). Praise your child with encouraging words and hugs when she urinates or defecates in the potty. Consider placing a sticker on a reward chart to keep her motivated. Phase out rewards as your child begins using the potty routinely without prompting.
- 6). Place a pull-up or training pants on your child when she naps or sleeps during the night to avoid accidents. Bladder and bowel control develops with age.