Potty Talk: Toilet Training How-to Guide

Potty Talk

Copyright © Laura Morley 2013

ISBN 978-0-473-25244-1

The right of Laura Morley to be identified as the author of this work in terms of section 96 of the Copyright Act 1994 is hereby asserted.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above,

no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This toilet training guide is designed to give parents and caregivers some useful tips and ideas. It is not to replace expert advice from medical or behavioural specialists. It is recommended that you seek advice from qualified practitioners if you are concerned in any way.

Published by Toddler Talk, 2013

www.toddlertalk.co.nz

Design, layout, photography and illustration:

Katharine Hindson - Titanium Design Ltd, www.titanium.net.nz

Cover photography and stock images: iStock Photo

Printed in New Zealand by PMP Print

Ordering for retailers or individuals, please contact Toddler Talk, via www.toddlertalk.co.nz

Contents

Introduction

Toilet training today

Ready

What signs to look out for

Set

3 methods of toilet training and the equipment needed

Go

Ideas for training including positive strategies to reward behaviour

Tackling Toilet Training Challenges

Helpful answers to common questions

Night Training

Toilet training for bedwetters

Toilet Terror

Dealing with children who are scared to try

Toilet Training Today

Do you remember learning to drive a car?

Carefully co-ordinating your hands and feet at the right time to complete multiple manoeuvres while keeping up with other traffic on the road; the anxiety around not making mistakes, trying to remember everything and not crash!

At first you had to think about each move: changing gears, moving pedals, using mirrors. Then over time, as you got better, it became easier. Amongst your peers some were more motivated than others to learn to drive, and some took a long time to master the skills.

You can draw many parallels with toilet training. At first children learn each step and practise it, then one day it becomes automatic. But for each child that 'one day' is different.

This manual helps busy parents and caregivers negotiate children through the toilet-training process. It is designed around traffic lights - ready, set, go - with three different speeds of toilet training likened to the gears of the car.

For some children, transitioning from using a nappy to a toilet is an easy one. Many children decide themselves that they want to discard their nappy and use the toilet from that day forth.

The majority of children need help to learn the skills involved in using the toilet. For many families this is a big milestone that involves mistakes and mess. Reminding your child that going to the toilet is just a part of everyday life helps them - and us as adults - keep toilet training in perspective. Rather than seeing it as a mountain to be conquered, it is rather a bridge to be crossed. It is another step in a child's journey to independence.

Just as with any other skills that kids learn there are tools and strategies that make it easier.

Toilet training involves two elements

1. The child's physical readiness and ability

2. Their behavioural readiness and motivation

When a child is physically ready and motivated to toilet train this is the optimum 'soil' for the skills to grow.

Parenting in the 21st Century

When were you