Potty Training Your Child

Potty training can be a trying time for you and your child. Most children show signs of readiness to begin using the toilet as toddlers, usually between 18 months and 3 years of age.This does not mean that your child will not learn later or earlier. Each child is different and knows when he or she is ready for themselves. Encouraging, praising, and teaching your child, though, can make some difference. There are many signs that will let you know that your child is ready to "learn" to use the potty. When you see these signs you can be assured that your child can now take on the task of trying to use the potty.

These signs include staying dry for at least 2 hours at a time, having regular bowel movements, being able to follow simple instructions, being uncomfortable with dirty diapers and wanting them to be changed, asking to use the potty chair, or asking to wear regular underwear. You should also be able to tell when your child is about to urinate or have a bowel movement by his or her facial expressions, posture or by what he or she says. If your child has begun to tell you about having a dirty diaper you should praise him or her for telling you and encourage him or her to tell you in advance next time.These are the most common signs your child will show.

You should buy a potty chair once your child has shown that he or she is ready to begin toilet training by the above signs. You can have him decorate it with stickers and sit on it with his clothes on to watch TV or just talk to him or her about the chair and it purpose to help him get used to it. This will make him comfortable with it. Whenever your child shows signs of needing to urinate or have a bowel movement you should ask him if he wants to use the potty or take him to the chair and explain to him what you want him to do. It make take several tries but eventually your child will use the potty chair for the first time.