|
Potty Basics: Is your child is ready to go?
Nothing sparks more questions from parents of small children than the issue of potty-training. It's normally the skill that most parents want to instill in their little one as soon as possible! But how? When? What do I watch for? Read further and don't worrry! The Project Ready for School Experts have created a handy checklist to help you discern when your child should be getting ready to go on his own!
Almost ready signs
- Hiding when performing a bowel movement
- Playing with genitals when diapered
- Telling adults when diaper is wet
- Staying dry for long periods of time
- New interest in being in the bathroom with parents (This is a good time to give names to the two functions.)
When
- Between 18 months and 3 years
- Able to get pants up and down
- Able to communicate with words for acts
- Able to control muscles
- Recognize sensation before elimination happens
How
- Parents' attitude is very important, interest and calm encouragement works best.
- Buy "big boy/girl" underwear and make a big deal out of the new clothes.
- Once in new underwear, take the child to the bathroom on a regular basis. After a couple of successful days, only ask the child if they need to go to the bathroom. After a few successful days, leave it up to the child to decide when to go.
- Accidents should be expected. Remain calm, this is part of the learning process.
- Potty chair or regular commode, selection is up to parent.
- Be consistent in the names used for each event.
- Communicate with every adult providing care for the child to use the same words and process for toileting.
- If success doesn?t happen within a few days, stop the process and try again in a couple of months.
Other things to know
- Girls are generally a couple of months earlier than boys
- First born are about 2 months later
- Bowel control usually occurs before bladder control
- Allow children to flush the commode if they choose. Some children are frightened by the flushing of the commode. They may fear they will go down the drain. If the child appears concerned, flush after the child has left the bathroom.
- When change occurs children may regress: such as a new baby, move, new caregiver, ill relative, new puppy, etc.
|
