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How Do I Prepare for Potty Training?
Most of us aren’t ready to jump head first into potty training and prefer to ease our way in. The experience is daunting and you may not be sure your preschooler is ready. Can you start potty training, and then stop? What if you feel she's almost there, but not quite? If you would rather ease your preschooler into potty training, consider taking the following baby steps:
3. Learn the Potty Training Vocabulary – The best way to build up to real potty training is to build the vocabulary. Whatever words you decide to use for body parts and functions, be consistent and don’t be shy. You can’t hush up pee and poop one day and suddenly be excited about it the next. If your preschooler shares his vocabulary with other unsuspecting adults, just clue them in that you are working up to potty training and all will be forgiven.
4. Learn the Basics of Potty Training– Your preschooler doesn’t have to participate in the actual using of the potty to learn the routine. Talk your preschooler through the motions and point out the routine over and over again. Eventually, when she's ready to use it, your preschooler will hopefully be ready to sit, go, wipe, flush and wash up.
5. Observe Others Using the Potty – Observation is one of the most powerful methods of learning. While you probably shouldn’t flaunt your bathroom activities, you can use opportunities like trips into a public restroom stall or an older cousin coming to visit to show your preschooler what the potty is all about. Your preschooler might also like to experiment with flushing or washing her hands along with you - just to practice, of course.
6. Ask, Don’t Push – As tempting as it may be, don’t push your child to get excited about the potty. You’ve got the potty. She’s got the potty training knowledge she needs. Now, just wait until she’s ready. The easiest way to tell is to ask her occasionally if she wants to sit on the potty. Or ask if she’d rather wear a diaper or panties. One day she might surprise you, and you can play along as if the whole potty training thing is her idea.
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How to Prepare for Potty Training
1. Buy a Potty for the Fun of It – If you buy a potty and put it in the bathroom or even the play room, your preschooler will eye ball it until it isn’t unusual, just a normal part of life. Put it by the big potty and let her pretend to sit on the potty whenever your preschooler wants.
2. Read about the Potty – There are countless books about using the potty and potty training. Elmo and all of his friends use the potty, so buy a few and add them to your regular reading time. The power of suggestion is stronger than you may think.3. Learn the Potty Training Vocabulary – The best way to build up to real potty training is to build the vocabulary. Whatever words you decide to use for body parts and functions, be consistent and don’t be shy. You can’t hush up pee and poop one day and suddenly be excited about it the next. If your preschooler shares his vocabulary with other unsuspecting adults, just clue them in that you are working up to potty training and all will be forgiven.
4. Learn the Basics of Potty Training– Your preschooler doesn’t have to participate in the actual using of the potty to learn the routine. Talk your preschooler through the motions and point out the routine over and over again. Eventually, when she's ready to use it, your preschooler will hopefully be ready to sit, go, wipe, flush and wash up.
5. Observe Others Using the Potty – Observation is one of the most powerful methods of learning. While you probably shouldn’t flaunt your bathroom activities, you can use opportunities like trips into a public restroom stall or an older cousin coming to visit to show your preschooler what the potty is all about. Your preschooler might also like to experiment with flushing or washing her hands along with you - just to practice, of course.
6. Ask, Don’t Push – As tempting as it may be, don’t push your child to get excited about the potty. You’ve got the potty. She’s got the potty training knowledge she needs. Now, just wait until she’s ready. The easiest way to tell is to ask her occasionally if she wants to sit on the potty. Or ask if she’d rather wear a diaper or panties. One day she might surprise you, and you can play along as if the whole potty training thing is her idea.
Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.