How to Potty Train a Difficult Child at Age 4

Every parent is responsible for potty training her child. Some children are easy to train, while others show more resistance. Most children are ready to be potty trained when they are between 18 months and 3 years of age, but some children may not be interested until they are 4 years old. Some of the reasons a child may be resistant to potty training include inconsistent training, starting too early or just general stubbornness. If you have a 4-year-old child who is showing resistance to potty training, there are several strategies you can use.

Instructions

    • 1

      Allow him to wear underwear so he will feel wet when he has an accident. If the child wets his underwear, he will feel uncomfortable wearing wet pants and may become more motivated to use the potty.

    • 2

      Model for your child. Although some parents find this extremely difficult to do, children learn by watching their parents. Make it a game by telling her, "I bet you can't use the potty like I do!"

    • 3

      Praise your child every time he uses the potty. Keep a sticker chart and tell your child how proud you are.

    • 4

      Set a routine for your child to use the potty everyday. Ask him to sit on the potty for a few minutes before his bath at night or after he gets out of bed in the morning.

    • 5

      Make potty time fun. Read a book to your child while she sits on the potty, or sing songs. Put your child's doll on a pretend potty and make-believe that she is using the bathroom.

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