How to potty train a 2-year-old child?

While potty training is a significant developmental milestone for kids, parents may find it difficult during this period. Since each child is unique, it takes time, patience, understanding, and some flexibility to find the best strategy.

Many two-year-olds begin to exhibit signs that indicate they are prepared for potty training. These indicators may include wanting to use the restroom, remaining dry for extended periods of time, or even expressing discomfort when wearing an unclean diaper. It is imperative to identify these cues in order to facilitate a more seamless process.

A happy, stress-free atmosphere is essential for potty training success. Parents can help their child develop self-confidence and the will to keep trying by supporting and recognizing small victories. Potty training can be a positive experience for the child and the parent if done gently.

Baby readiness

The ability to use a toilet or potty on their own for both large and small needs is a definite indicator of a child reaching "adulthood." Of course, every mother wants to see her child grow up and be independent. However, using disposable diapers is more convenient for both the child and his mother up until a certain age, particularly if the child doesn’t need to be sent to a nursery. In accordance with custom, this age is regarded as two years.

It is understandable for parents to want to stop using the family budget on pricey diapers by the time their child turns two. Without these skills, it will be challenging for the child to get into kindergarten or go on an exciting trip. Usually, a major diaper fight breaks out at 2 years old and beyond this momentous occasion, leaving both adults and the bewildered toddler extremely tired.

Experts advise determining how well-prepared the infant is for the impending changes before diving right in. Whatever the situation, teaching a new skill is going to be stressful for everyone involved.

A number of criteria are used to evaluate the child’s preparedness. Defecation and urine are unconditional reflexes that a newborn cannot learn to control; therefore, for the time being, this is not necessary. The unconditional reflex becomes conditioned at a specific developmental stage, meaning the child starts to associate the urge to urinate or go to the bathroom with the actual action.

You can attempt to teach the child once the reflex has become conditioned. Associative urination in response to the Pi-Pi command can be achieved in a baby at a younger age; however, if the reflex becomes conditional, the baby may not comply with commands and will once more do his "business" in his pants.

As the child grows and the nervous system and cerebral cortex function better, the reflex becomes conditional. Two years of age is thought to be the age at which the processes of reflex formation can be regarded as finished or nearly finished. Thus, once the baby turns two, you can start getting ready to learn the "toilet science."

Assessing readiness for potty training is a simple task. Renowned pediatrician Evgeny Komarovsky says that it suffices to watch the child intently for a few days and provide honest answers to a few questions (you can try teaching the baby new hygienic habits if most of the answers are positive).

• Does the child have a formed defecation regimen? Does he go to the toilet at about the same time every day?
• Can a toddler spend at least an hour and a half in a clean and dry diaper after a change? Is he able to hold his urination at least for this period of time?
• Does the baby know the names of parts of his body, is he familiar with it, is he able to understand the names of items of his wardrobe (panties, pants, skirt, etc.). D.)?
• Does he understand the meaning of the verbs "pomochit"sia" and "pokakat""? Does this process associate with these words?
• Does the child get irritated by a wet or dirty diaper, does he try to take off the diaper after a certain action?
• Can the child take off his pants, underwear himself?
• Does the child have access to the toilet? Does he enter it without fear and anxiety?

After two years old, children typically have a perfect understanding of what their parents are saying. Their passive speech is developed enough to understand what adults are saying, even though they do not speak very well yet. Consequently, the child will find it much simpler to understand the purpose of a new item called a "potty" and how to use it. It would be preferable to put off the training until a later date if the child cries, resists, or acts out during the process. Maybe the child will see the potty and everything associated with it differently in a few days or weeks.

If parents work, their preparation should be to find a week or two of free time to spend with the child. Additionally, since not everything will turn out perfectly the first or even the second time, you’ll need to have a reserve of strength and patience.

When the training begins, the child should be in good health and not be experiencing any stressors such as moving, starting kindergarten, being separated from one or both parents, or a divorce.

The sooner the event happens, the more probable it is that the child will feel better and more at ease psychologically from the start of the training.

A two-year-old child needs to be potty trained with patience, consistency, and positivity. It’s crucial to keep an eye out for clues that your child is ready, like longer stretches of dryness or an interest in using the restroom. Encourage them to use the potty at regular intervals throughout the day as you progressively introduce the idea to them. Remind yourself that every child learns at their own pace and that it’s important to celebrate small victories without putting undue pressure on them. This will help them feel at ease and confident taking this new step.

Why children refuse?

When a child of two years old completely rejects the potty, parents frequently find themselves in a difficult situation. The child will not sit on the potty, will not approach it, and will do everything in his power to elude their mother’s attempts to get him to use the potty. What possible cause could a two-year-old have for acting in this way? Let’s examine the situation from the perspective of the infant.

• The potty is uncomfortable. If parents did not take into account the requirements for choosing the first potty, which we will discuss below, it may turn out that the child"s first experience of "communication" with the potty was negative – the potty was cold, hard, too small or too big. In the end, the potty may be unattractive in appearance and frighten the child.
• Fear. A child who has already been forced to sit on the potty, with force and shouting, is afraid of the potty, since this accessory is in no way associated with safety and pleasure. Fear can manifest itself not only in a refusal to sit on the potty. Often a child who has already been taught to sit on it, just sits on it, does not poop or pee, but as soon as the parents lift him from the potty, he immediately relieves both needs in his pants.
• The child is not ready. This applies to both physical and psychological readiness. He simply does not associate the potty with toilet needs, and therefore does not ask to use it. Readiness is a relative concept. A child can be ready at exactly 2 years old, or at 2.6 or 2.8 years old and not show signs of readiness.
• Stress. A child may perceive the beginning of training painfully. Parents refuse to use the diapers that are familiar to the baby, as a result of which there is an exit from the so-called psychological comfort zone.

Youngsters two years old and up already have an innate desire for independence and the ability to stand up for what they want, so their protests against the potty can be loud, persistent, and forceful. It’s important to remember not to give up, to back down, or to lose your cool around grownups. The same way a child eventually grew accustomed to wearing a disposable diaper, so too will he eventually adjust to using a potty. And it’s important to comprehend this.

No youngster has ever entered the first grade without being able to urinate and defecate when necessary in accordance with hygienic and social norms of behavior that are recognized in our community.

The more parents express their dissatisfaction and concerns about their child rejecting items like potties, the more the baby will isolate himself from it because, in his tiny mind, he will immediately associate this object with his mother’s unhappy expression, which he does not want to cause him any trouble.

How to teach?

A two-year-old can be potty trained in a number of ways. There are universal methods that are fast, slow, and gentle. Parents should, first and foremost, be aware of their exact time constraints. If you put off taking the child to kindergarten, there is now space available for others to take.

You can also use the quick method if the family has decided to go on a trip and the tickets have already been purchased. It is preferable to use a universal method or a slower, less psychologically taxing course if there is time and patience.

Express method

The fast method was invented by pediatrician Gina Ford. Her method is intended for two-year-olds, as well as children from 1.5 to 2.5 years old. The doctor suggested that toilet training can be “fitted” into just 7 days; a child who is ready for training can learn to pee and go to the toilet in just a week. On the first day, Dr. Ford advises starting training in the morning. After removing the diaper that filled up during the night, the child is immediately “introduced” to a new “friend” – a beautiful and necessarily pre-heated in warm water pot. The baby should be seated on the potty and kept on it for about 10 minutes. Of course, the mother will have to think in advance what she and the child will do in these 10 minutes.

It’s also normal and not surprising that the child won’t want to sit on the potty. You just need to be ready for this. Bring along a favorite toy for the infant ahead of time. This might be the toy he uses to fall asleep at night. Teddy bears or plush bunnies can claim the honor of being the first to sit on the potty.

Unbeknownst to the infant, pour some water into the potty while the bunny is sitting. Then, show the toddler the outcome of the bunny’s "efforts," give him sincere praise, and encourage him to repeat his action.

Of course, the game will interest the baby, but the baby may refuse to sit down and repeat the "feat". And there is nothing strange about this either. Do not insist. Do not put a diaper on the child. During the entire first day, the baby, and if necessary, his bunny, should be offered the potty every 15-20 minutes. Believe me, at the end of the day the baby will do what should be done. At this point, do not forget to arrange a small "celebration" – praise the child, treat him with something tasty, tell all family members in front of the child what a great boy he is. The child will quickly understand that such actions are good and constructive.

There will undoubtedly be a few "misses" throughout the day. The infant will be very inconveniently wet his pants as a result. Make an effort to remain composed. Gina Ford advises controlling emotions rather than reprimanding the child. Instead, she suggests expressing your disapproval of the baby’s behavior while he is changing his pants in an even-toned voice. The most important thing is to act civilly and without even the tiniest trace of annoyance or fury. After the first day, change the baby into a disposable diaper at night.

You should consolidate the learned skills on the second day. There is still a 15-20 minute potty break offered. By taking turns using the potty to go to the bathroom and emptying it, you can vary the activities.

Let the kid flush the toilet; babies love to press the button for the toilet, no matter what. If the child is already familiar with using the potty, try to avoid using the plush bunny as an assistant.

On the third day, the mother and child go for a walk, but not on their own, but together pot. Pediatricians warn parents against a common mistake – putting on a diaper for a walk. The baby will quickly return to "the roots". During a walk, you need to inquire whether the child wants to go to the toilet every 20 minutes. It"s good if it"s summer outside, a walk with a potty in your hands will not cause serious trouble. If it"s winter outside, it"s better to refrain from a walk. According to Ford, at this stage it is more important to master the toilet skill and only then go outside with the child.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth days go by quite similarly to the preceding three. At home, the child roams around without a diaper; they can wear them only at night and during the day. They bring the potty along for walks, and when they get home, the baby "remembers" it exists every 30 to 40 minutes with the assistance of their mother. On the seventh day, you can compile the initial findings and make inferences. The potty is taken outside and is no longer offered to the boy or girl, even though it is still in the most noticeable location.

Mom has to watch the baby closely for behavioral cues. The child will demonstrate his desire to use the potty through behavior if the quick course is successful. Children begin to worry; the most astute ones can carry the potty to mom, sit on it, and gesture toward it.

Nighttime use of quick training is not yet supported. Pediatrician Ford suggests trying to wake up the baby and offer the potty at night if he sleeps soundly and falls back asleep quickly after waking up by accident, but no earlier than the fifth or sixth day after training begins. The child will be much calmer if they spend the night in a disposable diaper. If the child is very agitated and has trouble falling asleep, you shouldn’t do this just yet.

Universal method

Parents’ reviews suggest that this method yields more stable results, but it takes longer than the quick one. Renowned pediatrician Evgeny Komarovsky is a great "fan" of the universal method of training. A two-year-old is introduced to the potty at the beginning. They demonstrate how to sit on it, how to close it, and how to get off of it. After that, the baby’s diaper is taken off, and their behavior is observed. The first time the potty is "presented" to the child upon awakening, as well as following each meal or beverage and whenever the child exhibits symptoms of anxiety.

While unsuccessful attempts should not be judged or reprimanded, successful ones should be warmly welcomed. Using the universal method, the child is taught to remove and replace his pants, take out the potty, and flush its contents down the toilet, all while making toilet exercise engaging and consistent.

The universal approach does not suggest doing away with diapers entirely. You can wear them for a stroll, a cozy lunch, or a restful night’s sleep. As such, acclimating to it will be a slow and gradual process.

Slow method

The child is only left without their typical diaper during the first part of the day, right before their afternoon nap, which is the only way it varies from the universal one. The infant can have a regular life for the remainder of it. There are benefits to this approach, including reduced stress for the infant and his parents as they adjust to new living arrangements. When the baby is ill or unruly, parents have the right to refuse training at any time and put it off "for later."

You shouldn’t anticipate a quick fix, though, as the baby may still occasionally wet his pants even after he understands the purpose of the toilet structure.

Potty training a two-year-old can seem difficult at first, but it can become a simple process with persistence and patience. Since each child develops at their own rate, it’s critical to maintain your optimism and provide kind, non-coercive encouragement.

Recall to rejoice in little victories and not let failure depress you. Since mishaps are a normal part of learning, encouraging your child while remaining composed will give them more confidence.

You can assist your child in becoming more independent when using the potty by making the experience enjoyable and cozy. Your child will soon be well on their way to mastering this significant milestone if you trust the process.

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