Five Secrets of Toilet Training

Toilet training can be a frustrating experience. It's difficult to know where you are going wrong and what steps are necessary to toilet train your child. If toilet training is not progressing as expected, relax and try different approaches to getting your child out of diapers and onto the toilet. Different ideas work depending on the child's learning curve and disposition.

  1. Attitude

    • Keep a positive attitude and always reinforce toilet training in a happy, encouraging manner. Try not to become frustrated or angry at yourself or your child, as toilet training often takes awhile to master. Stay relaxed and resist the temptation to put pressure on the child to avoid making him nervous.

    Rewards

    • Offer a reward to your child when a trip to the bathroom is successful. Rewards can be physical, such as a treat or object. You can also offer to watch one of the child's favorite TV shows or movies, the opportunity to play one of the child's favorite games or any other reward that will motivate your child.

    Repetition and Routine

    • Take your child to the bathroom at scheduled time intervals until he properly uses the toilet. Offer words of encouragement when the child does use the toilet. Once this routine becomes established the child will slowly learn what to do when it is time to go.

    Tools

    • Many children's books depict kids learning to toilet train and encourage kids to use the toilet. A kid-safe toilet seat is another good tool to have in your arsenal. Make sure the seat is comfortable and inviting to your child. Test a few kid-safe toilet seats out before picking one. Check to see how easy the seat is to clean in case there is an accident you will need to deal with.

    Watch Carefully

    • To make sure you get your child to the toilet in time, watch carefully for warning signs. The child might be pacing, holding himself or verbally indicating a need to use the bathroom. Once you have picked up on the child's indicators, make sure you and the child are on the same page with what to call going to the bathroom. Your child can tell you he needs to go to the bathroom rather than waiting for you to notice once you establish a word or phrase indicating the child's need.

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