Understanding how to use the toilet is a big event in a young child's life. Due to the fact toilet training is a complex process, there are many issues day care providers and families must consider before and throughout the process of toilet training for it to be a successful experience for everyone.
How to tell if a child is ready? The Child:
• Follows simple directions
• has a dry diaper for at least 2 hours during the day.
• Has a dry diaper after nap time.
• Regular bowel movements.
• Is able to pull up and down their clothes without needing assistance.
• Shows signs of not liking to wear dirty or wet diapers
• Seems interested in sitting on the toilet.
• wants to wear big boy or girl underwear.
If the child has mastered most of these skills, then they are most likely ready to start toilet training. If they do not have these skills or have a adverse reaction to toilet training, wait a little longer even a few weeks will make a difference, and then they will probably have most of these skills mastered.
Starting too soon can actually prolong the process and cause tears and frustration. Toilet training is much less difficult when the child is ready. It also helps to have potty training friendly clothes. There's nothing more irritating than seeing a child run to the bathroom to go potty and they have an accident due to the fact it took too long to get their clothes off. Pants are the easiest and of course shorts and dresses make it easy for girls.
A good plan to teach potty training is:
• A calm easy going approach works best.
• Caregivers will learn the words the child's family uses for identifying urinating and a bowel movement, to be consistent with what the child is doing at home. Also consult with family about strategies used at home so the process is consistent.
• Toilet training entails many steps (discussing, undressing, going, wiping, dressing, flushing, hand washing) reinforce the child's success at each step.
• Help children understand the difference between urinating or have a bowel movement. They must be aware of what they are doing before them being able to do anything about it.
• Caregivers should be including toilet training into the daily routine such as story time, singing and games that reinforce the skills needed to toilet train.
•Talk to parents and make sure they understand that dressing children in easy to remove clothing to help children be successful in undressing and dressing.
• When a child is showing the signs of having to use the toilet or wants to use the toilet, take the child in make sure they can pull down there pants by themselves. Sit with the child for a few minutes. Try not to expect immediate results.
The child should only sit for a few minutes at a time, help the child with the rest of the routine and make sure to offer a reward such as a sticker a sticker chart will help your child see his progress, and always praise the child whether they do something in the toilet or just sit on the potty.
• Start by having your child sit for only a minute or two if they are going to do something in the potty they will do it in that amount of time making them sit until they do something will only frustrate them, and this could set up a power struggle and negative feeling toward toilet training.
• Do not make a big deal for accidents. Occasional accidents are going to happen. Always clean up the child immediately after the child has an accident. Be positive and reassuring that they will be prosperous. Punishment does not make the process go faster and may delay it.
Parents and daycare providers make a great team when it comes to potty training a child. http://www.murrietaferreirafamilydaycare.com
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