Potty training is just one of the first steps in helping your child become more independent. It is an exciting time of change and can sometimes be a little frustrating. There are lots of techniques and products you will find to help you assist your child in mastering the art of using the toilet.
There are some things you need to consider before determining if it is the appropriate time to introduce your toddler to potty training. One of the first things you will need to consider is your child’s age. Generally the experts say that around the time your child is between 20-24 months is a good time to start the potty training process. For some children it may be a little earlier and for others it may start a little later. Your child will more than likely give you signals that they are ready to start using the toilet. They will often use gestures and words to express an interest in toilet training.
Now whether your child will benefit from using potty training videos will depend on the child. Most children at this age do learn from what they see so videos may be one tool you can use to help with the process. The thing to remember is that each child needs constant positive reinforcement. Using negative reinforcement will not help your child in any way and it may cause severe delays in the potty training process.
Make sure to use encouraging words. Never scold a child if they have an accident and soil their diaper or underpants. Do not make your child sit on the potty-chair for longer than 5 minutes. If your child expresses a need to use the bathroom do not make them wait and never force your child to sit on the toilet if they are showing signs or distress like crying.
Potty training needs to be a positive experience for your child. You need to be committed to working with your child to help them understand the process. Training your child can take time and you will need to have patience. You may even want to take them to the bathroom with you when you need to go and gently explain what you are doing. This will help them understand what happens when they use the toilet.
Making sure you have the items you will need to start the potty training experience is a must. Go out ahead of time and purchase a potty training chair or insert for your child. There are many different models available. As long as it serves the general purpose there is no need to spend a lot of money on one. You may also wants to purchase some underwear for your child to help them get excited about getting to wear big kid pants instead of diapers. There are also diapers on the market now that are specifically made for children that are potty training. You may want to consider using these until your child has been training for a while and the accidents that they tend to have are a little more few and far between. Remember it’s up to you to determine what will work best.
You may want to purchase some videos and some books. There are lots of options available. You may even want to get a doll that is made exclusively for helping toddlers learn to use the toilet. When you choose to use the items make sure that you encourage your child to go sit on the potty-chair immediately after watching the video or reading the book. Make sure when talking to your child that you speak in softer tones yet be encouraging and excited about what they are doing.
The success that your child experiences with potty training all depends on you. Just remember that each child learns differently and as long as you are committed and willing to help your child they will eventually become potty trained. Make sure to speak to other parents, your child’s pediatrician and do your research to find out ways to help you help your child.
