Potty Training Best Practices

Knowing when your child is ready to be potty trained is the key to ensuring success in this big step in your child’s life. There are a number of great techniques out there that have been proven to work. Pull ups have been a big hit with getting children ready for potty training. For you parents that are still struggling with getting your child potty trained this article is just for you.

Below are some best practices that I have used and have found to be a success. As I mentioned earlier before you potty train your child you must know that your child is ready to be potty trained. Just because you are ready to potty train your child does not mean that your child is ready to take that big step. Children are ready to be potty trained at different ages. You can have three children and each one of them may be ready to be potty trained at a different time. It all depends on the child. One of the ways to tell if your child is ready to be potty trained is if your child’s diaper or pull up is dry when you wake him or her up in the morning. If your child’s diaper is dry in the morning this is an indicator that your child is ready to be potty trained. Another indicator is if your child is interested in the potty. An example of this is if you have a potty chair in your bathroom and your child always wants to sit on it this is another indicator that your child may be ready for that next step. If you child always comes to you and lets you know that they are wet then this is another indicator.

Best Practices for Potty Training

One of the best methods to potty train your child is to take away their security of having a pull up or a diaper on. If you think about it a child goes from wearing a regular diaper to wearing a pull up and sometimes it is confusing for a child not to think that they are not suppose to go in their pull up. You can try potty training your child by taking off their potty pants and just let him or her wear a t-shirt with a bear bottom. Before taking that step show your child the potty and play word or song games about where to go when you need to use the potty. Once your child has that down pack that is when it is time for you to just let him or her wear a shirt and bear bottom around the house. Your child will definitely try and give you a hard time about it. After all they have been wearing diapers since they were born. It has become a security blanket for your child. Remind your child that when they have to potty they have to go to the potty and take care of their business.

Another method that may work for your child is to get your child excited about wearing big kid underwear or panties. Explain to your child that only big girls or boys that go to the potty get to wear them. Reward your child when they use the potty by allowing him or her to wear their underwear or panties.

Extrinsic rewards (tangible rewards) is another popular method in getting your child potty trained. You can create a vibrant poster by going to the art store and getting some supplies. Each time that your child uses the potty you can give your child a sticker to place on their special progress poster that you created for your child. Or you can purchase little trinkets to give to your child each time he or she uses the potty.Always remember that potty training should be a fun time for your child. This is your precious child taking their next step in life. Do not stress out if your child is not getting it. Potty training takes time and patience. You can use one of these methods or a mixture of these methods and other methods that you may want to try.Share some of your successful potty training techniques.

Partnering with your Child's Daycare Provider

If your child is in daycare make sure that you have a discussion with your child's day care teacher to make sure that the teacher is on the same page at school. Make sure that you are aware of the number of times that your child will be going to the potty. Also make sure that you get a weekly progress report of your child's progress.