Toilet Training

· Toilet training takes time

· Start by easing the child into it, for example by dressing him or her in clothes that are easy to take off when it is time to go, let him or her not wear nappies at night, giving fibres.

· Child usually shows signs if he or she is ready, e.g. moving about, recognising the smell when passing wind, holding the genitalia.

· Child can learn by modelling – Parents can show the signs of needing to go to the toilet to their children when they themselves need to go

· Learning is flexible, which means detours may take place if stress takes place in the child’s life

· Rewards, e.g. cheering, smiling, singing, dancing if you prefer

· Rewards are crucial, since they make children happy and create a quicker learning process.

· Parents should be positive, calm and optimistic when training the children, i.e. not pushing the child to use the toilet instead of the potty when the child is intimidated by the toilet.

Strategies for making the toilet training experience more enjoyable

1. Creating a song that mum and child can sing together while the child is being trained

2. Using the child’s favourite music

3. Some parents let their children do whatever they want to train them. For example, by letting them wear normal underwear, the children learn how to take them off and go to the toilet themselves.

4. Reward: “After we go to the potty, we’ll go and get ice cream”, instead of “We’ll have ice cream once we go to the potty.”