How and when to teach a child to a pot?

Although teaching your child to use the toilet is a significant developmental milestone, it can also be a difficult period for both parents and children. Since each child is unique, there is no one "right" age to begin. When your child is ready to start potty training, there are some telltale indicators to watch out for.

Throughout this process, patience and understanding are essential. When learning this new skill, kids need to feel secure and at ease. Establishing rigorous expectations or hurrying them can aggravate them, so it’s critical to foster a supportive atmosphere.

This post will cover when it’s appropriate to begin potty training your child as well as offer helpful advice on how to make the process go as smoothly as possible for both of you.

So, there are three types of “teaching to the pot” that are very far from each other in essence:

Learning to the pot … mom! (In some situations, other relatives may be on the site of the mother). Mom carefully develops a keen eye and a sensitive ear, capable of guessing the impending "threat" in the grunt of the baby. Soon she becomes capable of lightning speed to remove the diaper from the baby (diaper, panties..) and deliver "a blow to the target" (pot). A very useful skill that contributes not only to the development of maternal intuition, but also to the economy of diapers! Development of a conditional reflex to the commands “Writing-Write” and “A-a-a-a-a-a-a”. Particularly patient and persistent parents achieve the child"s need to relieve himself at 7-10 months on the appropriate command. The bladder fills with a sound signal and urination occurs. A great way not only to save diapers, but also to accustom the child to a certain daily rhythm. Although Dr. Komarovsky warns in this case: “The price for early successes comes in the second year of life. A supposedly capable and developed child who has been sitting on a potty since 9 months, suddenly, for some “incomprehensible” reasons, stops doing this and actively fights for his freedom with concerned relatives. And the reasons are very clear – it"s time to form that very normal, natural control over excrement, which we have already talked about. The bladder is empty, and here they are climbing with their “peepee” .. Potty training a child. Implies conscious control over their excretory functions. The child wanted to go to the toilet – realized it – asked to go to the potty – did the deed. This is what all parents ultimately strive for. But not everyone realizes that such training is in no way connected or mediated by the two methods described above. A smart parent, of course, realizes that the baby must be ready for such a skill physiologically (the ability to hold urine and feces) and mentally (the ability to understand the process and control it). When does this happen?

When to start potty training a baby?

When the baby was a few days old, the local pediatrician visited us according to tradition and, having observed the “pissing boy”, advised to invariably accompany this act with the sounds “piss-piss-piss”, because this is how she trained her own child to use the potty. Perhaps this was the earliest advice about starting potty training that I have ever heard. Other sources varied their versions from 6 months (when the child learned to sit), 8-12 months – "at the age when he learns well" (as if at another age he would be less receptive to this science!) up to 1.5-3 years, when the baby can consciously control his natural needs. Pediatricians and psychologists warn parents against starting too early. In the most extreme cases, this is fraught with childhood neuroses and deep complexes in adulthood. Here it is appropriate to quote the respected doctor Komarovsky: “The earlier you begin the process of potty training, the more effort it will require from you… The road to the potty is full of tears, children"s screams, work and disappointment, but only when you set off on the journey too early…” Only during the second year of life does the transition to control over excrement begin. In the classical case, we can talk about the development of the skill no earlier than 1 year and 10 months. But even at 3 years old, potty "incidents" are considered within the norm.

How to determine that the baby is ready for training?

It turns out that the age period favorable for potty training is rather vague – from 1 year to 3 years. How to determine that a child is ready both mentally and physically? 1. The most important thing is that the baby should be able to express the desire to go to the potty. These are not necessarily words. Facial expressions, gestures, sounds, poses, etc. can be used. 2. Aversion to wet or dirty pants. 3. Understanding the words "pee-poop" or their folklore variants, knowledge of the corresponding parts of the body and names of items of clothing. 4. Ability to independently take off pants or panties. 5. A break between "pees" of more than 1.5 hours and a relatively stable time for relieving the "big" need. In addition, psychologists do not recommend starting potty training during periods of emotional upheaval, such as the birth of a brother or sister, mother returning to work, moving, illness, separation from loved ones, etc.

Do disposable diapers interfere with the formation of cleanliness skills?

Japanese researchers looked at two sets of families: the kids in one set had their diapers changed to gauze, while the kids in the other group used disposable ones. The outcome was unexpected: at around 27 months, both kids stopped using diapers and started using the potty regularly.

Which potty to choose?

How to potty train a baby?

• During the first and second years of life, we teach the baby the names of body parts, give names to the corresponding actions, introduce the potty and determine a place for it in the room (it should not be hidden too far away so that the baby can quickly get to it in case of "need").
• If you notice that the child has a bowel movement or urination at the same time (for example, after sleep or 20-30 minutes after eating), put the baby on the potty. If he did what you wanted, praise him, show sincere joy.
• We keep the fidget on the potty with distracting conversations, reading books, looking at toys, etc.
• Clearly comment on each action: "We take out the potty, remove the lid. We take off our panties, sit on the potty. Vasya peed! What a good boy! (looked into the potty, looked at the “product”). We put on our panties. We take the potty to the toilet. We pour it out. We wash it. We close the lid. We put it back in place”. We say all this cheerfully so that the baby gets involved in this “game”.
• Gradually, we turn it into a ritual of putting the child on the potty before a walk and before bed.
• If the baby categorically refuses to sit on the potty, screams, cries or breaks free, take a break in training for 1-2 weeks, or even longer.
• To get acquainted with the work of his own body, you can give the baby the opportunity to walk around the house naked. If your pedagogical principles allow it.
• If you have a “peeing” doll, it can become a visual aid for the baby. Put it on the potty. Tell the child what the doll does.
• Show the child how you do it, if your ethical and aesthetic principles do not suffer. Teaching by example is very effective.
• If your baby has pooped in his diaper, put the contents of the diaper in a potty and gently explain that this is where it belongs.
• Be careful when showing your little one how to flush the toilet. While one baby is delighted by this action and it is the “culmination” of the whole process, some particularly sensitive and delicate natures may be frightened.
• Being among peers who have already mastered this “wisdom” (for example, in a nursery group of a kindergarten) usually speeds up the learning process.
• For older children, “bribing” sometimes works: buying new beautiful clothes or even furniture that you don’t want to get dirty.

Funny parenting tips from Sears for parents of young boys: Young boys adore:

– "write" patterns in the dust or snow, both literally and figuratively

– play with your father or older brother where streams intersect.

– melt the bits of toilet paper that float,

– strike targets that float.

You can use all of this as an added incentive in your potty training game with your child. It might take multiple lessons to learn how to "hit the target" correctly and accurately. Yes, young boys really are like that.

Embrace the learning process with a sense of humor, patience, and trust that your child will eventually outgrow their need for clean underwear and diapers.

What you should not do:

• Keep on the potty for a long time (violence is not the best way to instill a “love” for the potty).
• Buy pots in the shape of animals, etc.p. (many children refuse to go to them, perceiving them as just another toy).
• Scolding for wet pants (at the age of one and a half, most children already feel uncomfortable with them).
• Attaching too much importance to these procedures, focusing the child"s attention more than necessary (including expressing admiration for his successes too vigorously).
• Waking up a child at night: this can lead to sleep disturbances. 20% of 4-year-olds and 10% of 5-year-olds may need a diaper at night, even if they regularly go to the potty during the day.
• It is not recommended to deprive the child of liquids before bed. This will not prevent nighttime urination, but it can harm.
• You cannot scold or shame the baby for mistakes! Unless, of course, you do not want to develop a bunch of neuroses and complexes in the child.
• Do not panic if the baby shows remarkable interest in the product of his own life activity (plays with it, studies it, tastes it, etc.), do not scold him for this. This is absolutely normal, because a small child does not yet have adult prejudices. The baby feels like the author of the product that he has produced, and he develops a feeling of "I did it myself", "I can", "I can do it". These are the prerequisites for the development of a creative personality, as psychologists say.
• It is better not to develop a conditioned reflex in the child, turning on the water in the bath. There is a possibility that a “trained” baby will wet himself every time he hears the sound of water. For example, if you decide to wash the dishes.
• Do not believe the "well-wishers" who claim that there is "something wrong" with your child if the baby has not mastered the technique of using the potty to perfection by the age of one and a half. Believe in yourself and your child.

A significant life milestone that differs for every family is teaching a child to use the potty. When your child exhibits readiness indicators, like longer stretches of dryness or an interest in using the restroom, it’s crucial to begin. Throughout this process, encouragement and patience are very beneficial.

Potty training can go more smoothly if there is consistency and positive reinforcement. Honor minor successes and refrain from penalizing mishaps. Since every child learns differently, it’s important to be patient and understanding with them as they progress.

Recall that both you and your child are learning from this. Potty training can be an enjoyable and successful experience that paves the way for increased independence with the correct methodology and a little perseverance.

The process of teaching a child to use the potty takes time, patience, and understanding. When the child exhibits readiness indicators, which usually occur between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, is the ideal time to begin. For both parents and child, the experience can go more smoothly if independence is encouraged and supportive behavior is maintained. Since each child is unique, it’s critical to refrain from hurrying or making comparisons to other kids. Concentrate on establishing a stress-free atmosphere that acknowledges modest accomplishments.

Videos on the topic

BabyRiki – new series – Nanny. Potty training (episode 130) Cartoons for the little ones

WHEN TO TRAIN A CHILD TO A POTTY

How to train a child to a potty

A child teaches toddlers to use a potty. Instructions for using a potty.

How to Train a Child to a Potty. Our Experience

How to train a child to a potty? Effective methods and choosing a potty

POTTY – Blue Tractor – Cartoon song about how to easily train a child to a potty

How to train a child to a potty: 10 working methods