How to Potty-Train a Two-Year-Old Boy

Observe your little boy for signs he is ready to start training. If he can follow two-part commands, shows signs of being uncomfortable in a dirty diaper and is dry for at least two hour periods during the day, he is more than likely ready to start potty training says a 2010 Family Doctor article.

Arrange for him to watch a same-sex parent or sibling while they are in the bathroom. Children learn a lot from mimicking and watching other people. If there are no suitable male role models in the house, consider asking a trusted family member or friend. This will help him see what people do when in the bathroom.

Purchase a suitable potty or potty chair and allow him to go with you to choose it. Make a big fuss of the fact he now owns a potty and therefore is a big boy. Ask him to make it his own by adding stickers, pictures, drawings and writing to it. You should also let him choose his own underwear; this will give him the feeling of control two year old toddlers crave.

Place the potty in an area your child is most likely to play and make sure he can get to it with no obstacles in his way. Allow him to sit on the potty fully clothed at first and then without a diaper, this allows him to familiarize himself with sitting on the potty. Place a bowel movement from his diaper inside the potty so he can see that is where it is meant to go, allow him to go with you to dispose of it in the toilet, says a 2010 Family Doctor article.

Sit him on the potty when he tells you he needs to go. You should also watch for other signals that he needs the toilet such as facial expressions, increased or decreased activity and messing with his diaper or trousers. You can also place him on the potty at times you believe he is going to go to the toilet in the hope of catching him urinating. Children usually urinate and have a bowel movement one hour after a large drink and meal, says the Kids Health article.

Stick to a consistent schedule. Inform any daycare, grandparents or any other adults involved in his care about his potty arrangements and ask that they stick to his schedule. Gradually you may notice he goes to the potty without even telling you.

Be ready to praise all his efforts, even unsuccessful trips to the potty. Never show your disappointment or react in a negative manner. You do not want him to associate his toilet habits with making you angry. Instead, tell him there is always next time and you are proud of him for attempting to go. When he is successful, give him lots of positive praise and make a big fuss of him.

Make the change from diapers to training pants or underwear. Wearing underwear will speed up his training, because he cannot help but feel any accidents he may have. Some medical professionals do not promote the use of training pants believing they are so similar to diapers they slow the training process down, says the Family Doctor article.

Teach him to urinate while standing up only when he has been regularly dry in underwear for a long period. Little boys use the potty while sitting because bowel movements and urination can happen at the same time, says Betsy Bozdech for a 2011 BabyCenter article. You will need a potty stool for him to stand on to reach the toilet when he is ready to stand up and urinate.