Potty Training Tips
Remember that potty training is not easy or convenient, but when it is finished, it will be so worth the hard work and time that you spend! Following these tips should make the experience easier for both you and your child.
1) Keep clothing simple. Make sure your child has bottoms that are easy for THEM (not you) to pull down and up. It may require you helping your child pull clothes down and up initially, but you should encourage your child to practice pulling down and up even if you have to show them using your hands over theirs. Elastic waistbands are best. Zippers and buttons are NOT good as most children do not have the fine motor skills to zip and button pants which means they have to rely on someone else in the restroom to help them. When they master the potty basics, they can work on zippers and buttons. Also, belts are cute for fashion but they do not work when trying to potty train.
2) Pull-ups are convenient, but they make potty training difficult because they draw moisture away from your child's skin and the child cannot tell that they are wet. The child needs to transition to underwear sooner rather than later. This may mean you have to do more laundry initially, but the potty training process will tend to go faster when the child understands that they HAVE to go to the potty and they can't just go in their pants without a wet, dirty mess.
3) If you do use pull-ups, make sure you use the correct size for your child (not too tight, so the child can pull up and down without help).
4) Motivation for the child needs to be high, so a small treat like a raisin, M&M, skittle, or whatever small treat your child loves will work. Just ask "do you want a _______?" and then say "go pee pee (or poop) in the potty and I will give you ____." Have the treats close so you can show it to your child. Do not give them the treat until after they go in the toilet, but IMMEDIATELY after they go, give them the treat and praise them!!
5) Praise is key to successful potty training. When your child uses the potty, make sure to make a big deal about it. High fives, cheers, LOTS of smiles, and clapping let your child know that they have done a great job.
6) It is important to take your child to the potty often. Once an hour when you start the training is a good schedule. Again, this is not convenient, but it is necessary in the beginning.
7) BEFORE leaving the house with your child, make sure to take them to the potty (remember to work extra time for this into your routine so you are not late). Then, when you get to where a you are going, find a toilet so you can take your child to the potty while you have access to a toilet.
8) For boys, it is important to have dad or an older brother to help show a young child how to stand up to urinate. This is a skill that boys need when going into a public toilet.
9) Invest in a potty seat that you can take with you when you go out...something that will fit in a diaper bag works best. Sometimes children do not want to use a public toilet because it is difficult to hold themselves on the toilet while they are trying to go. A potty seat helps them not be anxious about toileting in a public restroom.
If you need more tips, below is a link to a detailed toilet training plan for children with Autism. Although, it was written with children with Autism, the information provided can be helpful with any child. As always, if you have specific questions, you can e-mail me at [email protected].