Potty training experiences differ in every family. Some parents say they never had a problem potty training their children, while others first had to deal with a series of accidents (and sometimes lost patience in the process) before finally succeeding. How do you teach a child to go to the bathroom? As with anything else in this world, different strokes work for different people. So, before you start potty training, you need to answer the following questions to find out if it’s the right time.
When is your child ready for potty training?
Cognitive skills start to come together when your child is around 18 months old, even earlier for some. When you notice that your child has developed an understanding of things around him and shows some control over himself, then it might be the right time to potty train him. However, age is not the best indicator, as there are children who reach three years old and have not expressed any interest in potty training, so do not be alarmed if you are starting comparatively late. Potty training is a meticulous process that should be followed closely and not rushed. You’ll know your child is ready for potty training when he begins to talk about the contents of his diaper and has the skills to undress himself.
How can you make the potty training experience successful?
Most experts suggest incorporating play and games into the training process, to encourage children to go to the bathroom on their own faster. Big boy or girl role-playing games have been found to be effective in teaching children this “grown-up” activity. Young children are eager to grow up, so convincing your little one to act like a mommy or daddy shouldn’t be too difficult. You can also bring a book or toy while they are sitting on the potty to keep them entertained and encourage them to stay on the potty longer. While undergoing potty training, you need to realize that accidents are bound to happen along the way. Your son is still learning to control himself and give the right signals, so until he masters them, he’ll have to stretch his patience. It is inevitable to feel frustrated when it seems that he is not learning anything. Don’t be discouraged. It’s not that he’s not listening to you, it’s just that he’s also trying to coordinate his responses to the call of nature. Over time, things will balance out.
Finally, don’t rush your child to go to the bathroom alone right away. Take it easy, but safely. Let him go through the process at his own pace and speed. Kind reminders and words of encouragement help. Yelling at him or showing him that you are angry about accidents or sessions that don’t work can only induce stress and make the potty training process even more difficult. In fact, children who are pressured and stressed are more likely to be constipated and may begin to associate going to the bathroom with pain. How do you teach a child to go to the bathroom? As a parent, it is your responsibility to make your child feel that potty training is not a stressful activity, but a natural part of growing up. Make the experience fun to encourage her cooperation and speed up the time it takes to get rid of the diapers.