When should I start toilet training my child?
Your child must be both physically and emotionally ready for potty training. Most children are ready when they are between 18 and 30 months of age, although every child is different. Toilet training usually becomes a long and frustrating process if you try to start it before your child is ready.
Before children can use the toilet, they must be able to control their bowel and bladder muscles. Children must also be able to climb, talk, remove clothing, and have mastered other basic motor skills before they can use the toilet by themselves. Also, a good sign to know they are ready is when your child’s nappy remains dry during his afternoon nap or when he or she asks for her nappy to be removed.
Training generally does not go well if your child is in the stage where “NO” is his or her automatic response to every request.
How to start?
- Don’t be anxious about it – they will be anxious too!
- Proceed with tact, be happy, sing and escort your child to the potty.
- Choose a colorful, attractive potty or an adaptable seat if they prefer. Place it in the bathroom. At first, let your child become familiar with it by sitting on it with his nappy on. Then, say to your child: “Now, let’s try sitting on the potty without the nappy on.” Understand your child’s routine and at what time he or she usually needs to poopoo or pipi.
- Every 2 hours, take your child to the potty. If he does not want to stay in the bathroom, reassure him or her that you will wait with him. If he insists, respect his wish, dress him, and try again after 2 hours.
- Music or a book always works! Play some music for her or let her go through the pictures in a book while she is on the potty.
- Leave the tap open. The noise of running water has a stimulating effect.
- Compliment him after a successful attempt, particularly when he has done a poopoo. Please do not flush it without explaining to him that poopoo is waste from the tummy, which needs to be flushed. Allow your child to flush the toilet.
How long does it take to toilet train?
A child is considered potty-trained when he or she knows that it is time to go to the bathroom and is able to ask or say: “pipi or pooh-pooh”.
In a study of children who started training between 20 and 30 months of age, boys were fully trained at an average age of 30 months, while girls were trained slightly earlier, around 20–28 months.
If handled sensitively, a few weeks—even a few days—is enough to successfully potty train your child.
What if my child resists?
If your child resists using the toilet, he or she probably isn’t ready. Sometimes, potty training disruptions or delays are caused by stress or major changes in routine. Also, a child who is doing well with potty training may suddenly have difficulty for no obvious reason. This is a normal part of potty training. It is best to start or resume potty training when your child is receptive to it and in a stable environment.
How is POTTY-TRAINING done at Les Petits Génies?
- Establishing a Routine:
The teacher takes a moment to explain to the child that he or she is growing up, becoming a big boy or big girl by giving nappies to younger babies and wearing only pants. Pants can be wet, but we should try as much as we can to keep them clean and dry. - How It Works:
Parents are required to bring extra pants and a change of clothes. Little accidents do happen, especially at the beginning. Teachers explain the routine and observe the children’s signs (asking to go to the toilet, saying “I want to pipi or pooh-pooh,” moving their body). For younger children, teachers frequently ask throughout the day whether they need to use the toilet. Carers will assist with going to the toilet, dressing, and washing hands afterward. - Feedback and Observations:
We observe children’s responses and provide feedback at the end of the day.
Please Note:
Your child’s potty-training experience should be positive. If it becomes a struggle or a battle of wills, it is best to ease up or stop for a while because he or she is simply not ready.
Remember:
We are always available to advise and assist you in your journey to achieving successful potty training. Do not hesitate to share your experience at home with us. Good Luck!
Wishing you a Happy Potty Training Time!