Good Potty Training Techniques
Potty training is an important stage in any child's development. It ranks in importance alongside walking and talking. Like those major milestones, potty training will not be successful until your child is both physically and emotionally ready. Physical readiness often proceeds emotional readiness. Once he or she is ready on both counts, here are some good techniques to utilize.
Proper Equipment
You will, of course, need to place a potty chair in the bathroom. Your child will need to be able to put both feet either on the floor or a stool. There are potty chairs available that have a removable top that can be placed directly on the toilet when your child is ready.
Habits to Accompany Potty Training
Half the battle in potty training is for your child to be able to recognize that he or she needs to go. A few of the indicators are holding the genital area, squirming, or squatting. As soon as you see any of these signs, take your child to the bathroom immediately and offer support and praise. Teaching them the correct manner in which to speak about bathroom issues should be taken care of early on in the process. Also, have them get in the habit of flushing on their own and washing their hands once the entire process is completed.
Try Incentives
It is very important for both you and your child to remain positive during this process. Inventiveness and ingenuity on your part may just be what is called for. Rewarding him or her with trips to the park or any other event your child enjoys can be used as positive reinforcement. Bolster your child's efforts with verbal praise and let him or her know that it is okay if every trip to the bathroom is not a success.
Maybe a Break is in Order
If you and your child have given the potty training a serious go for several weeks now and still have not achieved your goal, consider taking a break and starting back in on it with a fresh start. There also may be times once the training is complete that your child may start having accidents. This can be caused by stress or a major life change. It could also be a sign of a medical condition such as over-active bladder or a urinary tract infection, both of which will require a doctor visit.
Patience Before All
Two years of age seems to be the norm and girls tend to start showing an interest in potty training before boys but every child is unique. What you must remember is to remain patient. If you are anything but calm your child will hone in on that and it may further complicate his or her efforts at training. Daily encouragement and reaffirming that they will get there are important in the process.
Signs of Success
When your child is able to sleep through the night or go several hours at a time without an accident, you are well on your way to being potty trained. Congratulations to you both!