News Letter Oct-Nov 2012 - Parents Centres New Zealand Inc

Toilet Training
Most kids are ready to start toilet training somewhere
between the ages of two to shortly after
their third birthday. Boys usually fall somewhere
near the end of this range. Usually when children
start to let you know their nappies are messy they
are about ready.
Some of the main signs that a child is developmentally
ready to begin potty training are:
1. A bowel and bladder that are mature (i.e.,
can hold larger amounts at one time) and can
“sense” the need to void/eliminate staying dry
for at least 2 hours at a time (including nap
times)
2. The child can recognise that she is voiding/eliminating
(you can also recognise they are by their
facial expression, posture, place they go to do
it, what they say, etc.)
3. Your child notices and/or becomes distressed
by having a wet/soiled nappy
4. A “willingness” to sit on the potty or toilet
(without fear, with or without nappy/clothes
still on)
5. The child is able to walk to/from the bathroom,
get on the toilet, sit, balance, and get off the
toilet or potty chair with little assistance
6. The child is able to pull his pants down by himself
7. The child can follow simple instructions/directions/commands
8. The child is asking to have his wet/dirty nappy
changed or to use the potty or toilet
9. Your child is having regular bowel movements
You can capitalize on this natural readiness by:
• Prep work! Start a couple months in advance
after you are noticing signs that they are psychologically,
physically, and mentally ready. Let
them go pick out special big boy/big girl underwear,
let them pick out a special seat. Decorating
the seat with stickers they like may be helpful.
• Reading aloud together as a family one of the
many good books that describe potty/toilet
use as a part of growing up. Illustrations of fire
fighters, doctors, baby sitters, and parents all
going to the bathroom will interest and educate
your kids.
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• Watching the same-sex parent or older sibling
in the bathroom reinforces this process.
• Buying fun new underwear can further encourage
your child.
• Allowing your child to pick out a toilet seat or
potty and using non-food rewards for potty/toilet
use can also make the process fun.
• However, there are other forces that can make
toilet training difficult even for typical kids. Fear
often plays a major role. Toilet training tends to
come at an age when children’s fears are most
intense. It is important to de-pressurise the
situation. If your child seems to be afraid of the
toilet itself, then gradually acclimatise them to
the potty;
- Have him sit on a potty fully clothed for a
few minutes each day while you read to him
or tell him a story.
- When that becomes old, take his nappy off
so he can sit on it just like Dad and Mum.
- Begin putting the contents of his dirty nappies
in the toilet so he can see what happens.
- Then, give him the opportunity to run
around bare-bottomed so he can try to go
on the potty if he wants. The desire for approval
is another strong motivating force
that impacts toilet training.
• Although some people would recommend pull
ups, I personally would recommend just starting
with underwear, unless the child is very
aware of their bowel movements/wet nappies
already and is uncomfortable.
It is important that you have set aside a lot of time,
especially in the beginning, to dedicate to the process.
Also, do not start the toilet training process
at a time that is already stressful for the child. Do
not do this at the same time another child is being
born, moving house, or at the same time as starting
preschool. Kids need some time to adjust to all
the new stressors in their lives.
If these methods are still not working, here are
some intensive methods that parents have found
successful. *These methods also work well for children
with autism/PDD-NOS*
CENTRAL AUCKLAND PARENTS CENTRE