Tips for parents. How to potty train your child.

Many mothers ask themselves: how to accustom the child to the potty? It should be noted at once that there is no universal answer to this question, but we still have some help.

In medicine, there are no fixed age norms that would determine the moment when it is necessary to teach the child to potty - often it all depends even on the parents' employment: some gradually teach the baby (diaper - basin - potty), always being near; others, in view of professional employment, can not all the time to follow the baby and therefore teach him a little later. There is nothing abnormal in this.

Tips for Parents.

So at what age should you teach your child to potty? As a professional teacher and practicing psychologist, I can give some advice on this subject.

The child can start potty training at the age of a year and a half. He will be able to fully control his bladder at about three, and to monitor his body in his sleep even later: up to five years old. Forget about the idea of putting the baby on the potty at the same specific time of day - the child is not yet fully aware of the essence of the action and may resist.

You can start potty training your child at the age of one and a half years.

Observations of the child will help you to better identify his physiological needs: very often the child, wanting to "go pee-pee", leaves the game, for a while become overly focused. At this point, try to offer the child to take the potty, explaining why.

After the child has experience of such "trips", you can begin to offer him a potty periodically during the day. It is very important at this point to begin to part with diapers, because in a person is initially programmed independence and desire for cleanliness.

Without parting with the diaper, your baby may simply not realize that he or she has peed, because he or she will not feel the discomfort of wet clothes.

Consequently, there is also no interest in looking after one's own body.

A practicing psychologist can always give some useful advice. For example, it is recommended to familiarize the child with the potty in advance - let him touch it, talk a little about how useful it is to go on the potty and that adults always do so. Sometimes, to get acquainted with the potty, the child's favorite toys are involved: put them one by one on the potty, for example.

It is harder to accustom the child to the potty at night. The experience of a psychologist shows that there are almost no babies who willingly go to the potty in the dark. It is not surprising - children who are woken up are often dissatisfied, then do not sleep well, which also affects the learning process. At night, you can replace the diaper with an oilcloth, explaining to the child that if he wants to pee, he should wake up his mother or sit on the potty, which is located, for example, nearby in the nearest corner.

If the child at least once goes at night by himself, do not forget to praise him - the baby will awaken a sense of pride and further the process of accustoming will go much easier.

Choosing the right potty for your child.

Remember, a lot of things also depend on from the choice of the pot itself. This selection is based on the following parameters:

1. Refuse to buy "musical" or brightly decorated pots, because the child will perceive them, first of all, as a toy.
2. Also refuse to use potties that look like chairs or stools. The fact is that the child may start peeing later just by sitting on a chair or sofa.
3. The most important thing is to decide on the stability and size of the potty. This will make the toilet training process much easier for your child. In addition, an unstable potty can cause injury to your child.

Potty training.

Learn some useful tips as well. They will help you make potty training easier for your baby.

1. Try to always keep the potty in sight and be sure to offer it before and after naps, walks, and meals.
2. Don't keep your child on the potty for too long - many children are afraid of potties at first. Don't insist at first, so as not to make your child feel negative about the potty training process and the potty itself.
3. If something did not work out, try not to scold the child; if everything succeeded, praise him.

Remember that children are the flowers of life, no matter how trite this phrase may seem now. And flowers need to be cared for.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I start potty training my child?
   Start training when the child is ready: can sit up independently, understands instructions, is able to communicate his/her needs and stays dry for 1.5 to 2 hours. This is usually between 18 and 24 months of age.
2. How can you tell if a child is ready to be accustomed?
   Signs of readiness include: interest in toileting, discomfort with wet diapers, ability to remove and put on clothing, and ability to communicate the desire to go to the toilet.
3. What are some methods to help potty train your child?
   Use positive reinforcement, create a regular drop-off routine (after naps, meals, before a walk), offer a potty without pressure, and incorporate learning through play, such as with toys.
4. How do you respond to failures in the habituation process?
   Do not scold or shame your child for making a mistake. Instead, calmly explain what happened and offer to try again later. Support and patience will help your child learn the skill.
5. What should you do if your child refuses the potty?
   If your child resists, take a break for 1-2 weeks, then offer the potty again. You may want to try a different potty or use a child's toilet seat. It is important to stay calm and not to force things.