Are you struggling with helping your little one make it through one of life’s earliest hurdles? Potty training can be a time of wild excitement (Yay! No more diapers!) and it can also be inconvenient (Boo — I can’t believe the yucky accident on the floor!). What is most important is staying consistent throughout the day at home and preschool. Here are tips that will help you both get through potty training successfully.
Wait Until They’re Ready
There is no magic age for starting to potty train. Instead, look for readiness indicators such as your child’s ability to keep a diaper clean for at least two hours on a consistent basis, when they start to notice and or dislike when their diaper is dirty and when they start showing interest in sitting on the potty. Try not to add too much pressure or turn it into a battle of wills because this can make potty training much more difficult and unpleasant.
Bribes Are Your Friend
Don’t be afraid to offer your child a sticker, an extra story at bedtime or even some sweet treats for staying dry or using the potty. It doesn’t take a large reward to get their interest at this age. Something as small as a gold star sticker applied to a chart can be all it takes to keep them motivated.
Be Consistent
Pick a time of the day when you generally have a few extra minutes without feeling rushed, perhaps as you’re getting ready for bed in the evening or directly before bath time. Try to encourage potty time when you don’t have to rush things along. Your child may be more willing to approach the idea if they think they will get a few extra minutes of your attention. Once they start showing interest consistently and you both feel ready then you can get on a schedule of “potty time reminders”. Set an alarm or timer and gently (and excitedly) remind your child to go potty several times a day. You might find that every 20-30 minutes is a good time frame.
Use (Gentle!) Peer Pressure
Encouraging your child to use the potty is great but when children see others successfully using the potty, they may want to mimic the behavior — especially if there is a reward involved. At home, older siblings can often help by showing them how it’s done. At Creative Corner Child Care Center, we always look for ways to reinforce the learning that happens in the home and that includes potty time. Keep us informed of the tactics that you’re using that are successful (or not) so we can help encourage your child as well. Contact us today to learn more about our teachers, hours of operation or to schedule a site visit.
