Potty Training

Potty Training Workshop
November 14, 2011 10:00 - 11:00
Little Blossom Center
1/4 mi South of Bottle Hollow
Ft Duchesne, Utah
435-722-5654

Is My Child Ready?

So what exactly is the right time to begin toilet learning?

Look no further than your toddler for the answer. Letting a child take the lead in toilet learning by waiting for signs of readiness and willingness not only paves the way for swifter success, but can also make the experience an ego-boosting one for your child. Remember, that time at which toilet learning is mastered in no way correlates with intelligence or success in other areas of develpment. Some children are ready for toilet learning before their second birthday, others not until after their third, but most are ready sometime in between.

Look for some of these signs of potty-readiness in your toddler before you start looking for a potty:

• Physiologic readiness: A toddler who stays dry for an hour or two at a stretch during the day and occasionally wakes up dry from naps is physically ready to begin toilet learning.
• Regularity: Has bowel movements at about the same time every day.
• Aware of bodily functions: Lets you know in some way - by grunting, going off to a corner to squat, or even announcing the event - that he or she is having a bowel movement.
• An interest in being clean and dry: A sudden destaste for soggy of soiled diapers and desire to be changed immediately. Toddlers may also become more finicky about smells about the time they're ready for toilet learning.
• Understands potty terms: For, example: wet, dry, pee, poop, potty, BM.
• Ability to communicate needs: Can tell you he/she has to go to the bathroom and can follow simple directions like, "let's go to the potty".
• An interest in wearing underpants
• Ability to do some simple dressing: Pull pants up and down
• Curiosity about the bathroom: Follows others into bathroom or shows interest and asks questions while watching you!

Don't expect your child to show all of the above signs. But, as your child nears potty-training age, be observant and aware of what the signs are so that you will know when it is the right time to start.