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Parents of toddlers rejoice! It’s time to teach your little one how to potty train.
If you are wondering when is the right time for your child, this article will help answer that question and many more.
Follow your child’s indicators and know that you’re on the path to successful potty training!
Click below if you want your free printable potty training charts and reward certificates.
Potty Training Readiness
Potty training is a big step for any family.
It can be stressful, messy, and frustrating – but it’s also rewarding when you see your little one make the transition from diapers to underwear.
Having a potty training reward chart plan in place will help decrease the likelihood of messes, but it doesn’t eliminate them completely.
Whether it’s your first rodeo or not, potty training is different for every single child. However, there are common indicators that are similar across the board and signal your potty training adventures are about to begin.
Setting Potty Training Expectations
Resist the urge to expect the same results and timeline other children have followed, the age your toddler is ready to potty train at is going to be on their own time.
Some children start at age 2, while others are not ready until 3 or even 4 years of age.
Here are some signs your child may be ready for the potty training fun to begin:
1) Your toddler notices when they are wet.
If you notice your toddler begins to pull at their diaper when they are wet, it’s time to buy a little potty!
Take your kiddo to the store and let them help pick it out to ensures the potty training kick-off party is started properly.
Note: some toddlers will never care if they are wet and/or dirty. This isn’t the only sign of potty training readiness. There are plenty more!
2) Your toddler shows interest.
The first thing most parents notice on their child’s potty training journey is that their child is more interested in using the bathroom.
Your toddler may follow you into the bathroom, or even ask questions about your bathroom use.
Some toddlers will strip down and run into the bathroom before they even know how to use the toilet.
This is a sure sign they’re ready to at least attempt to toilet train.
3) Your toddler is staying dry for longer periods of time.
When your toddler gets to the point where they’re able to stay dry for a few hours at a time, that is a sign they may be ready to potty train.
If your child is able to sleep through the night and stay dry – even if it’s not every night – they are probably ready to start using the toilet.
4) Your toddler understands what “potty” means.
No matter which variation you use: potty, toilet, bathroom, or something else – when your toddler is able to understand what it means, this can be another sign they’re ready to transition away from diapers.
5) Your toddler can communicate when they need to go to the bathroom.
Not all children will verbally communicate that they need to use the bathroom, but there are other ways your child may indicate it’s time to pee or poop.
It’s a good idea to teach your toddler the Sign Language sign for “bathroom”, in case they cannot (or choose not to) communicate the urgency verbally.
6) Your toddler can undress themselves.
Even if they can’t fully dress themselves yet, if they’re able to pull down their diaper or training pants, your toddler is showing signs of potty training readiness.
7) Your toddler can use the potty chair.
If you purchase a potty chair and teach your toddler how to use it, they should be able to get down to the chair (and up from it) on their own.
You may want to have them practice when they don’t have to go to the bathroom, just so they’re prepared when it’s time to go.
8) Your toddler wants to use the toilet.
Each toddler will potty train at their own pace.
Not all children will be eager to potty train, so it’s important to be persistent but not to push the issue if your child isn’t ready.
When your child starts saying they want to use the toilet, you’ll know they’re ready to start trying.
9) Your toddler can follow simple instructions.
Being able to follow instructions is another toilet readiness skill.
There is a difference in understanding instructions and being able to follow them.
Your toddler may accompany you to the bathroom quite frequently before they start toilet training.
This is an opportunity to talk to them about the process of using the toilet, using toilet paper, flushing the toilet, washing hands, drying hands, etc.
Once they’re able to follow simple instructions like how to wash their hands, they may be prepared for potty training.
How To Use A Potty Training Sticker Chart
Reward charts are a great way of motivating your toddler to sit on the potty seat. Use stickers or another small reward like a stamp in fun colors or candy rewards for immediate positive reinforcement of toileting in the right place.
You may want to consider a big reward such as a new toy for when your toddler crosses the finish line!
For the best results personalize your free potty training chart with your child’s name and place it at your child’s eye level in the bathroom so they can stick or stamp each successful trip.
Encourage family members to aid in the learning process, and let your toddler know what a good job they’re doing.
Making potty training a fun game rather than stressful is going to gently encourage your little one in the right direction, and increase their chance of potty training success.
Get creative and figure out how you can make it fun for your toddler.
No matter their age the most important thing is to stay positive and patient! Positive parenting is proven to be effective at any age.
What If My Toddler Doesn’t Show Any Potty Training Behaviors?
Remember: every child is different. While the average age for toilet training is anywhere from 18 months to 3 years old, if they aren’t ready, they aren’t ready.
Forcing a child into potty training before they are ready will backfire and take even longer than it would have if you had waited for them to be prepared.
If your little one still doesn’t seem interested in this new development then try waiting a few more weeks before starting again.
Take your time and be patient.
If your child is resistant to potty training for an extended period of time or seems to have a fear of the toilet, you may want to talk to your child’s pediatrician for more potty training assistance.
Your child may have some anxiety or other unresolved issues their doctor can help you with.
Check out these posts on urine and poop removal for any accidents.
Ready to start? Enter your email address and get your free printable potty training chart available for instant download here:
There are 6 different printable potty sticker charts and 3 potty training rewards certificates.
Have you started potty training yet? Let me know in the comments how it’s going.
