Most parents start thinking about toilet/potty training when their child is between two and two-and-a-half, but there's no perfect time. Every child is different, so is the time when they show readiness for toilet training. Some find it easier to start toilet training in the summer, when there are fewer clothes to take off and washed clothes dry more quickly. Try toilet training when there are no great disruptions or changes to your child's or your family's routine i.e. being on holiday or having a new sibling. You can try to work out when your child is ready. There are a number of signs showing that your child is starting to develop bladder control: • they know when they have got a wet or dirty nappy • they get to know when they are passing urine and may tell you they are doing it • the gap between wetting is at least an hour • they show the need to pee by fidgeting or going somewhere quiet or hidden • they know when they need to pee and may say so in advance Initially your child should be encouraged to use the toilet/potty at home. You can first try to make your child excited about toilet training by starting to use the toilet/potty every evening before sleep time and every morning before changing their nappy after a night's sleep. It helps to encourage your child to use the toilet by demonstrating and explaining how it is done (they might even be interested to flush the toilet after use) and offering lots of praise to your child every time they sit on the toilet/potty, even if they don’t do anything. If they happen to do a wee or poo in the toilet then you should offer them even more praise and make a ‘big party’ to celebrate this achievement and to let them know how happy you are with what they have done. Some parents decide to decorate toilet seats/potties with stickers, which is another way of encouraging children to use them. It is also useful to get some children’s books on potty training that you can read with your child during transition time from nappies to underwear and role-play the use of toilet/potty using their favourite teddy or toy. If your child successfully uses the toilet on a regular basis and is beginning to understand when they feel they need to go, you can start thinking of removing the nappy. Once your child is ready, they will transfer from nappies to underwear and you should encourage them to use the toilet regularly. Give positive praise and encouragement after each visit to the toilet, reward charts may also be used. Accidents should be dealt with sensitively, although your child should be encouraged to undress and redress themselves, you should be there to offer support and reassurance. Here are some examples of potty training books parents could use during toilet training: 1. Pirate Pete’s Potty and Princess Polly’s Potty 2. No More Nappies 3. I Want My Potty 4. All Aboard The Toilet Train (a Bing book)
