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4 for Fun
Creative Toilet Training Tips That Lead to Smiles
By Keath Castelloe Low
Toilet Training ... those two simple words can strike fear in parents, but it doesn't have to be a stressful experience. In fact, it absolutely shouldn't be!
"The secret to potty training is getting kids to relax," says Dr. Linda Sonna, psychologist and author of three potty training books, including Early-Start Potty Training (McGraw-Hill, 2005), which covers potty training issues for infants through toddlers. "If kids are tense, they won't be able to relax their muscles enough to use the potty even if they do need to go," she says.
Making toilet training a fun experience is a great way to reduce stressful feelings and get kids to relax. If you find yourself knee deep in accidents and frustration, follow these 4 tips.
Warm up your vocal chords! Singing makes toilet training fun. Believe it or not, there is a wonderful potty training CD called Potty Animal: Funny Songs About Potty Training. With songs like "Gonna Go Go," "Everything Is Going to Come out Just Fine" and "Flush the Magic Dragon" this CD is hard to resist.
Dr. Sonna created a song that walks children through the process of using the potty. The words are sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot."
I Need My Pot
I just drank some water.
There's no doubt,
Right below my tummy
It's hiding out.
When it turns to pee-pee
I need my pot.
Hey, lookie there!
It's coming out!
Cause I used my potty
There's no doubt,
I wipe real good so
The germs don't sprout.
Then I take the paper
And toss it out.
I wash my hands
From the waterspout.
I just ate some breakfast.
There's no doubt,
Right below my tummy
It's hiding out.
When it turns to poo-poo
I need my pot.
Hey, lookie there!
It's coming out!
