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Are You Ready?
Determining If Your Child Is Ready for Potty Training
By Lisa A. Goldstein
Once a child starts to show interest in potty training, preparation is key. When a child shows readiness, that's a parent's cue to start preparing the child by buying products such as a small potty, training pants and children's books about using the toilet. They also can let their children practice on the potty.
"Your concern in the preparation period is simply to make sure you've done your part," Levi says. "You would have told him that urine and feces come from his body, taught him the words you want him to use for the bathroom functions, helped him recognize and interpret the body signals associated with elimination, helped him find out what the toilet is for by letting him observe others using it and given him a gentle introduction to his own potty and helped him practice on it. Finally, you let him know you are confident that he will wear underpants and use the toilet."
According to Levi, the next part of training is the learning period, which can be difficult for parents because they don't know what to expect. She suggests providing easy clothing for your child to wear during this period (no overalls or difficult buttons, etc.). Also, she says it's important to give friendly reminders to your child that he or she may need to use the potty.
"Children whose parents remind them are more successful in remembering [to use the potty] than those whose parents do not," Levi says. Use a timer to remind yourself, too, during that first month or so, so you can start to recognize your child's rhythm to urinate. Also, do not punish your child if an accident occurs, Levi says. Children are upset by accidents and need you to help them clean up.