Practical steps for potty training

At this crucial stage of your child’s life, you may face many challenges, the most prominent of which is toilet training. Although this topic causes many parents anxiety and stress, toilet training your child is an important foundation for developing a healthy lifestyle. Above all, toilet training makes your child’s life and yours much easier and less stressful. In this article, we will share with you practical steps to toilet training your child.

Conditions that must be met by the child before starting training

Training a child to use the skill of controlling the toilet is tiring and one of the major challenges facing parents, but these challenges can be overcome by choosing the appropriate conditions to start training, such as:

• Make sure your child can understand instructions for use and dispose of dirty items in the bathroom.
• The child's ability to control the bladder muscles and urinate and defecate when needed.
• Child development that helps determine the right time to start training, as the child may be ready to start at the age of 18 months to 3 years.

All of these conditions must be available to the child before starting training, and thus the child will be ready to learn and the training process will be easy and effective.

Read also about: Are there personality types in children? What are they and what distinguishes each personality?

Preparing for potty training

Once you have decided to start toilet training your child, you need to prepare well for the process to achieve success and minimize frustrations.

• Parents should train their child to sit on the toilet using toilet holders and explain to him how to use them.
• It is also important to show the child some interactive books about using the bathroom and watch some educational videos to deepen the concepts in the child.
• Adjust the child's diet, as children need to drink enough water to enhance digestive system functions and use the bathroom regularly.
• Care, patience, persistence, and not being embarrassed in case of failure, as toilet training requires time, patience, and repeated application to achieve success.

Read also about:Teaching children - School Tips.com

Bathroom control skill techniques

There are more than one method for children to master toilet training, including the following:

• Talk to your child about the importance of using the bathroom.

Talking to your child about the importance of using the bathroom is the first step in training them in this vital skill. It is important for the child to understand that using the bathroom is essential and important for their physical health and personal hygiene. Parents can explain to the child in a simple way what the bathroom is and how to use it properly. In addition, the child can be encouraged to use the bathroom using games or stories that help promote reassurance and self-confidence. By using this important step, the child can begin his journey towards independence and better integration into society.

• Buy the necessary tools to train the child

An important factor in training a child to master the skill of toileting is the necessary tools, as they facilitate the training process and increase its effectiveness. It is recommended to buy special baby carriers and small seats that fit their body size. You can also buy small chairs that can be used as a place to wake the child up during the night, and can allow him to go to the bathroom without the need for an alert. These tools help unleash the curiosity and exploration that the child feels at this stage that witnesses many changes in his body and life. Therefore, the necessary tools must be chosen carefully, and a suitable place must be determined for their use so that the child feels safe and comfortable.

• Start training in a quiet place, free from distractions.

Potty training should begin in a quiet, comfortable place for the child, free from distractions and distractions. This step allows the child to feel the new stage he is learning and focus better on the matters related to his new learning. The child may need some time to adjust to the idea of ​​sitting on his own seat and using the toilet properly, so there should be a calm routine and respond to the child's needs at this sensitive stage. By talking to the child, engaging him positively, encouraging him and being persistent, potty training will become a comfortable experience for the child and the mother.

• Using the Positive Reinforcement Approach in Training

Using the positive reinforcement method in the process of training the child to control the toilet skill is one of the most important practical steps that must be applied. This method includes encouraging the child to use the toilet in a positive way, such as praising the achievements he has made, providing some small gifts as a reward, using kind words, and taking into account that training takes time and requires patience and perseverance, and not exhausting the child by reminding the patient of the toilet. This positive method helps stimulate the child's enthusiasm and enrich the relationship between you and him, in addition to enhancing his desire to learn more and reach a goal that the child has complete control over his life processes.

• Be sure to highlight the positives and avoid the penalties.

Emphasizing positives and avoiding punishments is one of the most important steps in successfully potty training your child. Instead of punishing your child for failure, encourage him and highlight every successful attempt you make. A small reward can be given for using the toilet correctly, which will boost confidence and motivate him to try again. You should also avoid punishments that your child fears, as they can cause fear, anxiety, and frustration. Therefore, you should be careful to emphasize positives to your child and avoid punishments, as this will serve as a gateway to success in potty training your child.

• Monitoring the child's development and adjusting the diet

One of the most important things to follow during toilet training your child is his daily developments and eating pattern. As a mother, you should monitor your child's intake of fluids and food regularly and appropriately, so that he can control his bowel movements and urine. You should also note and analyze any changes in the child's behavior, as this may be an indication of a possible health problem. It is preferable to set a specific diet schedule for the child that contains different types of healthy foods, including vegetables, fruits, and proteins, and to control the amount of sweets and soft drinks consumed. In addition, it is recommended to serve food at specific and regular times that the child gets used to. By following these tips and being patient, in addition to practicing the training process continuously, you will achieve great success in teaching your child how to use the toilet.

• Patience, perseverance and not being embarrassed in case of failure

Patience, persistence, and not being embarrassed in case of failure are the best steps to follow when toilet training a child. Toilet training is a process that requires a lot of time and effort, so there must be patience and persistence in the face of failure. It is important to ensure that the child does not feel embarrassed in case of failure, as it must be understood that every child goes through a stage of failure before success. The method of positive reinforcement can be applied, where the child is encouraged to try again and praised for the noticeable improvement in his attempts. Patience and persistence in the training stage will lead to the success of the task in this important process.

Read also about: Standards that must be followed to ensure the health and safety of children

What to do if potty training doesn't work the first time?

If toilet training does not work the first time, parents should remain calm and patient. They should try again and use different methods, those that suit the child and make the process enjoyable for him. The schedule can be changed and more positive reinforcement cues and games can be introduced to increase the child's interest in the process. Parents should also get to know the child's behavior better and know what affects it, whether it is food or exposing the child to psychological stress. If the situation does not change, parents should consult a pediatrician to assess the situation and get the necessary advice.