Signs That Your Child Is Ready to Potty Train

Longer Periods With Dry Diaper

• You may notice that when you go to change your child's diaper, it is dry. This is a sign that the child is able to exercise a small amount of control over his or her bladder and bowel. This is one of the first signs that your child may be ready to begin potty training. The University of Michigan Health System suggests that a dry period of more than two hours is a good sign that the child is ready.

Predictable Bowel Movements

• When you begin to get into a diaper-changing routine, it means that your child's bowel and bladder movements have become predictable, too. The bowel and bladder activity is more stable and is linked more closely to mealtime. When the frequency of feeds is reduced, you'll notice a more predictable diaper-soiling pattern.

The Child Can Follow Simple Instructions

• Mental and behavioral developments also serve as key indicators. It is important the child understands what is happening when potty training begins. A combination of encouragement and reinforcement should ease the transition from diapers to potty usage.

Awareness of Bowel Movements

• Once a child becomes aware of his or her own bowel movements, they are ready to begin toilet training. The University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development suggests that children may stop what they are doing, stand still and exhibit a markedly different facial expression when having a bowel movement in the diaper.

The Child Communicates the Need to Toilet

• This is one of the later signs that the child is "toilet-ready." Moaning or pointing to the diaper before the child goes indicates that they not only are aware of needing the toilet, but that they also want to avoid going in the diaper. Children may hide behind the sofa or go into another room when they feel the need to open the bowels or bladder. These are signs that your son or daughter is becoming self-conscious about their toilet habits.