The ABC’s of Potty Training

1. The ABC’s of Potty Training http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqLMcyUFrSA&feature=related

2. Assess your child’s Readiness skills A • Most people begin toilet training when their child is about 2 ½ years old • Some may be ready earlier • Some may not be ready until later • Girls are usually potty trained before boys • Signs to watch for: • Imitating others’ bathroom habits • Holding themselves • Dancing around • Unable to focus on task at hand

3. Buy the right Equipment B • Invest in a child-sized potty or a special seat that attaches to your regular toilet • Make sure the child is secure and stable • Before beginning . . . pick up an explanatory video or picture book to get the child interested

4. Create a routine C • Set the child on the potty Fully Clothed once a day • After breakfast • Before a bath • This will allow the child to get used to the potty and accept it as part of a daily routine • If child doesn’t want to sit on it: • Don’t force the issue • Don’t restrain the child or pressure the child to sit

5. Ditch the Diaper D • Now set the child on the potty seat without a diaper and pants • Explain that this is how BIG people go potty (undressing before you sit down) • Some choose to put their child in under ware for a day and closely monitor them • Some choose to let the child walk around without anything on (no diaper/pull-up/under ware) • This allows the child to feel the sensation of actually having to go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3FO8WYS8T4&feature=related

6. Explain the process E • Show the child where the bowel movements go • If they go potty in a diaper or under ware . . . • Bring to the potty • Empty into potty • Sit them down and explain this is where we go potty • After you have done this, have the child flush the toilet to let the child see where it goes • Show the child that they then should pull up pants and ALWAYS wash their hands when done

7. Foster Independence F • Encourage the child to use the potty whenever he feels the urge to go • Assure the child that he can tell you when he needs to go and you’ll help him • If possible, allow the child to run around without clothing on from the waist down and keep the potty nearby • Remind the child occasionally that the potty is there if he needs it • The child may forget!

8. Grab some training pants G • Once training is underway, you should consider using some kind of training pants to the routine • Extra thick cloth • Disposable • Plastic • Many prefer the extra thick cloth ones because the child will actually feel it when he pees or poops in them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zl0GHb1aHA

9. Handle setbacks gracefully H • Almost every child will have several accidents before becoming completely potty trained • Don’t get angry or punish your child . . . the child is in a learning stage and needs more time and guidance

10. Introduce night training I • Even though a child may be clean and dry all day long, it might take longer to master night training • Use diapers or pull-ups for overnight use, and you may need a plastic mattress cover to minimize clean-up from overnight messes • You can help cut down on wet nights by not letting the child drink too much before bedtime • Ask the child to call you if he/she wakes up and needs to go potty • You may also leave the potty close to his/her room or bed

11. Jump for Joy! J • Believe it or not, it is truly up to the child to master this skill . . . with the parents guidance! • Don’t force the issue • Wait until the child is interested in and wanting to actually GO on the potty . . . it will make your job a lot easier! • When you are done, you are done and won’t have to worry about it - - - until the next child http://tlc.discovery.com/beyond/?playerId=203711705&categoryId=1717893936&lineupId=1747275579

12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNcBn9o_Ow4 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeZXYgdjORQ&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhKFCJY97v4&feature=related