Potty Training Rewards & Incentives

Potty training is one skill parents hope their children will pick up sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, toddlers often aren't in any hurry to comply, which can cause potty training to turn into a stressful, unpleasant experience. If a child basically knows what to do on the potty but needs some encouragement, try an system of rewards and incentives to provide the extra push needed.

  1. Fun on the Potty

    • Turn potty-time into playtime. Leave a basket of books in the bathroom that your child can only read when sitting on the potty chair. Put a few drops of blue or red food coloring in the toilet so that when she urinates, she can watch the color change to green or orange. Give her a drink-and-wet baby doll that she can sit on the potty chair and "teach" how to use it.

    Artwork

    • The ability to create art can help motivate a child to use the potty chair. Have your child pick out a pad of colorful stickers; place one on a sticker chart every time he uses the potty chair. Pick out a special potty-time coloring book and allow him to color a picture after each successful potty trip. Let him decorate his potty chair with stickers and markers, since he may have more incentive to use a potty chair he has personalized.

    Prizes

    • Offering small prizes to reward a child for sitting on the potty chair may encourage her to use it more often. Create a reward bag filled with small toys, stickers or candies. Let your child select one after she uses the potty. Buy her some big kid underwear featuring her favorite character that she can wear if she stays dry. Place a small bowl on the bathroom counter and let her put a marble or poker chip in it after each successful potty trip. After she's earned a certain number of tokens, reward her by letting her purchase a new toy, taking her on a special outing or playing a game with her.

    Praise

    • Children want to please their parents, so praising your child for his potty-training successes can give him the incentive to continue. Be specific when you praise. Say, "I'm so proud of you for telling me when you had to go potty" or "You are such a big boy for staying dry all day." Change the way you deliver your praise so it doesn't lose its effectiveness. Offer hugs, high fives, thumbs up or just say, "Great job!" Keep your praise genuine. Use your praise to share the excitement and pride you feel about your child's effort and increasing skills.

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