Potty Training
When should we help our children transition from nappies to the potty? What can I do to encourage my child to use the potty? How do I deal with them having an accident? If these questions are on your mind – take a read of our tips on Potty Training at Devon Nurseries.
You may start to see signs that your child is ready to start potty training. Indications to look out for are:
- They let you know when they are taking a wee/poo.
- They hide in the room to wee/poo.
- When they take an interest in other children using the potty and copy their behaviour.
- If they have a dry nappy after nap times or for a long period of time.
- They start asking to use the potty or toilet.
- When they pull at a wet nappy.
Potty Training Tips
When the potty training journey starts, the most important thing to remember is to have patience. Like most things, different children learn at different rates.
There are many important things we can do as adults to make potty training easier for our children. Some things to remember are:
- Choose a good time to start training when they are ready and where you can put in the time and effort. When you go for it, go for it. Don’t start and then step back as this will confuse children.
- Let children choose their own colour potty and exciting pants. Independence of picking their own can encourage them to use the potty correctly. This will make potty training fun for children.
- Skip the pull ups!
- Try nappy tricks such as a hole in the nappy when they sit on the potty and even the nappy in the potty.
- Display the potty (and lots of them!) in convenient and visible spots.
- Dress children in easy clothing (and remember to have lots of it!)
- 5 minutes on the potty is enough. If they are there too long they could lose interest. Make potty time relaxing by stories, toys, anything that brings your child comfort. Different things work for different children.
- ALWAYS use encouragement and praise even if they aren’t successful.
Don’t forget to always help them practise washing their hands after using the potty!
Accidents Help Learning
Potty training should be a positive experience. Remove the negativity. The most scary thing about potty training, for us as adults and for children, are the accidents. The key thing to remember is accidents are normal and are vital in their development.
When dealing with accidents here are some things to remember:
- Stay calm. The last thing your toddler needs is you getting upset with them.
- Remember that they’ve been in nappies their whole lives until this point so when they need to wee/poo, the potty won’t be their first thought.
- Show them the potty after their accident and gently remind them what it’s for.
- Read books on Potty Training.
- Praise is the best reward you can give children.
Stay positive. Potty training can be a scary experience, make it a positive one.