We work with parents who are struggling with many different aspects of the toilet training process. However, the common thread amongst the consultations that we have is the question of whether or not their child is actually ready and if they aren’t, how to spark some interest. This blog offers 5 signs that your child is ready and 5 tips for helping them get there.
Signs that your child is ready for toilet training
- Your child tells you when they are doing a wee or a poo
- They become upset at the idea that they are wet or dirty.
- They are able to pull their trousers up and down.
- They ask questions about the toilet and are interested in seeing other members of the family go.
- They ask to sit on the potty or toilet or are excited to flush after someone else has gone.
5 ways to help your child become ready for toilet training
- Make the toilet part of every day conversation and tell them when other members of the family are going.
- Make the toilet a regular part of life. Let them know that it is normal and that everyone has to go. If you are comfortable with it, allow them to see you and their siblings on the toilet so that it doesn’t become taboo!
- Make sure your child understands each of the steps of going to the toilet and knows what is expected of them.
- Offer opportunities to sit on the toilet and make sure that the time that they sit there is fun eg: read books with them. Don’t focus on if they don’t do anything just praise the fact that they went.
- Make the experience fun- use incentives and positive reinforcement and try some of the toilet games eg: doing a wee onto food dye and let them see it change colour.
We hope that these tips will take some of the stress out of the situation for you and your child!
Good luck!
