12/05/2021
MENTORING SCHOOL FOR EARLY -YEARS EDUCATORS (MSEE)
Potty training taken by Anu Akinola
Step by Step Guide to Potty training
Now your child is a toddler, itās time to wean him/her off diapers.
How do you begin?
1.Be sure your child is ready:
As with other milestones like eating, walking , talking, kids do things on their own timing and not ours, knowing when your child is ready for potty training is important for effective potty training. Sometimes it happens at 18months,sometimes later usually between 18 -24 months but it the child is truly ready, there is not much to worry about. Your child will show signs of readiness, like an increased interest in using the potty, feels uncomfortable in dirty diapers, talks about the potty, can get dressed by him/herself, goes to the bathroom on schedule, can follow simple instructions, stays dry for long period. Your child might not need to demonstrate all these behaviours, but just to see if he/she shows an overall interest in and capacity to use the potty.
2.Introduce the potty:
Talk about the potty, you could let him/her pick out one potty from the store, read books on potty training to him)her and bring up conversation on potty training. The goal is to raise awareness about going potty and make your child comfortable with the concept.
3.Buy the necessary equipment:
Buy the necessary equipment, either a full potty that sits on the floor or a potty seat that goes on top of the adult toilet. If you choose a potty seat, get a step stool too. āPeople canāt empty their bowels and bladders completely unless their feet are pressing down on the floorā.
4.Choose the right time:
Even if your child seems ready, experts say to avoid potty training during transitional or stressful time. Example if you are moving, taking a vacation, adding a new baby etc. Postpone the training until about a month after the transitional time or earlier. Children will do better if relaxed and on their regular routine.
5.Demonstrate the potty training methods:
When you are ready to start the training, choose certain time in the day to take your child to the potty(whether he/she is ready or not he/she has to go), develop a routine i.e. every 30minutes, first thing in the morning before you leave the house, before nap and bed time. āThe key is having time throui the day when you ritualize using the potty so it becomes more if a habitā.
Hereās what to do;
ā¢Tell him/her to remove his/her shorts or pants.
ā¢Next his/her underwear or training pants.
ā¢Sit on the toilet for a few minutes.
ā¢Sing along potty song(or read if itās a suspected p**p).
ā¢Then whether or not he actually goes potty instruct him/her to flush and wash his/her hands.
ā¢Praise him/her for trying.
6.Teach proper hygiene:
Instruct both girls and boys how to wipe front to back, to flush and to wash their hands with soap and water afterwards.
7.Offer praise and rewards:
When you are potty training, accidents are parts of the process, never punish your child for wetting or soiling his pants; he/she is just learning and canāt help it. Doing so might only scare him/her of using potty and delay the whole process. Instead offer gentle praise and small reward.
8.Wear easily removable clothing:
During this period avoid clothing that is difficult to remove i.e. pin under, clothes with difficult zippers, sleep suits. This is to ensure that your child can easily undress without your help when he/she needs to go.
9.Use underwear or nothing at home:
When in the comfort of your home it might be good to use just underwear or nothing because when using pull ups the child feels comfortable and tends to feel its ok to wee on it.
10.Use Routine for night time potty training as well
11.Partnership with parents is necessary for the effectiveness
Parents and caregivers need to be 1. Consistent, 2. Positive, 3. Motivated, 4. Committed, to ensure a smooth transition during this period.
