Some of the signs to look for to judge whether or not the child is ready include the ability to walk to a potty, follow simple commands, remain dry for several hours, take off their own clothes, show a desire for independence, curiosity about the toilet, talk about pee-pee and pooh-pooh, and enjoy copying their parents
When the child begins to exhibit some of these signs begin discussing their behavior. When you notice the child is wetting his diaper, ask the child is he is peeing. It is also helpful if you let the child be naked. Then the child sees the action taking place and is better able to understand the feeling associated with urination.
Typically it takes from three to six months (Bilich 2) to complete the toilet training process. Bowel control usually takes longer as well as nighttime control, which can take an additional few months of even years. It is important not to rush a child or push him t train before he is ready. When this occurs, the child may regress, causing the toilet training process to take even longer. .
Before beginning toilet training, it is important to include the entire family. A method should be agreed upon prior to beginning the process. Consistency is important in order to avoid confusing the child. Also, training should not be "initiated at a stressful time in the child's life" (Bilich 3). Some examples of stress include a new baby, moving, or a new pet. The child needs to be comfortable and not under a lot of stress to allow the potty training experience to be a positive one.
Parents, like anyone else, usually seek help when undergoing toilet training. Embarking on a new stage in the child's life, they reach out to relatives, friends, pediatricians, and day care provider for advice on different methods. Grandparents are a good source of information and support on toilet training your child. However, be aware that training techniques could have changed since they trained their last child and what they believed was a good strategy might not be the way pediatricians today advise you to train your child.
