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How Do I Potty Train on the Go?
Potty training away from home is tough. But it can be done with less stress than you think!
Potty Training Tips for Boys
Preschool boys need a bit of extra help when it comes to potty training tips. After all they have more to learn.
Wait! You Need to Be Ready for Potty Training, Too!
Parents need just as much preparation as preschoolers do to be sure everyone is ready for a successful potty training experience.
Why Reward Potty Training?
Why should a preschooler using the potty need a reward? After all, everyone uses the potty eventually and rewarding a process that common seems like a mistake or even bribery. Should potty training be rewarded? Yes and here’s why.
Rewards are powerful motivation. Employers know this and offer year end bonuses. Teachers know this and offer stickers and smiling faces. And of course parents know this and offer their children praise, encouragement and celebration for all manners of accomplishments including standing up, first steps and now his first attempts to use the potty. Remember that rewards are not just stickers and candy. Rewards can be as simple as a big hug or an enthusiastic high-five.
Potty Training is Hard Work!
Finally, potty training is hard work. Your preschooler is giving up the comfort and safety of diapers after two, three or even four years of his life. Adults offer themselves rewards for losing weight and stopping smoking. Why shouldn’t preschoolers have a reward for doing something just as challenging?
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Rewards Aren’t Bribes
Rewards are not bribes. A bribe is payment for something that a person wouldn’t normally do. And while your preschooler may not be enthusiastic about potty training, you’re offering her a reward for trying something new – not doing something illegal.Rewards are powerful motivation. Employers know this and offer year end bonuses. Teachers know this and offer stickers and smiling faces. And of course parents know this and offer their children praise, encouragement and celebration for all manners of accomplishments including standing up, first steps and now his first attempts to use the potty. Remember that rewards are not just stickers and candy. Rewards can be as simple as a big hug or an enthusiastic high-five.
The Power of Positive Reinforcement
Studies have shown that positive reinforcement is significantly more effective than negative reinforcement. This means that you will get greater results by rewarding progress rather than criticizing setbacks. Offer a small reward for just trying out the potty and your preschooler will be willing to try it out again. Yell at him for not trying hard enough or having an accident, and your previous potty training efforts are wasted.Rewards Don’t Last Forever
It may seem as though potty training takes forever, but the rewards portion will fade much more quickly than you can imagine. Potty training rewards are a catalyst to get your preschooler motivated about learning and practicing. Once the actions become routine and the rewards less challenging to obtain, you can gradually distribute them less until potty training rewards are a thing of the past.Potty Training is Hard Work!
Finally, potty training is hard work. Your preschooler is giving up the comfort and safety of diapers after two, three or even four years of his life. Adults offer themselves rewards for losing weight and stopping smoking. Why shouldn’t preschoolers have a reward for doing something just as challenging?Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today to our free weekly newsletter.