Potty Training Tips

  • Be sure they are ready and willing.
  • Decorate potty with special stickers and can put their names on it.
  • Sit on potty for a week or so with clothes on, then move to sitting on potty with no clothes.
  • Create a potty for their favourite stuffy.
  • Buy cool underwear/big boy pants, talk it up and make it really exciting! Let him pick his undies.
  • Praise, praise, praise! He is a big boy like Daddy!
  • Do not pressure or push. Nothing stops process faster then making them feel bad for the accident.
  • Create a Training Schedule (sit on potty at certain times of the day). Maybe first thing in the morning, before naps, after naps and so on.  After doing this for a week or so, try getting him on it more frequently. A rule of thumb is, once they are into training and are actively using the potty daily, ask every hour. 
  • Take a picture of him on the potty and place in bathroom with Sequence strips (if using). Also, it can be helpful to have pictures to show him when asking about if he needs to use the potty.
  • GO COLD TURKEY (when he is ready or has used the potty a few times daily) and get rid of diapers. That is why summer is best for the many accidents you will be cleaning up!
  • Celebrate successes with a fanfare! Some parents like to give a big boy reward. It can be whatever works for you. Some examples are extra story at bedtime, a sticker to put on potty, extra time doing something special. Some people have used small treats, like cranraisins or a chocolate chip. I wouldn’t recommend this route yet, except maybe for pooping. This is much tougher and take a lot longer for them to get it.
  • OPEN DOOR POLICY. Have him follow you and make it a learning experience. Ask him if he wants to try using the big potty and washing his hands. You can also purchase special soap that is just for after going to the bathroom in the potty/toilet.
  • COMMUNICATION. Have a picture of him on the potty in every room of the house and show him throughout the day, talk about it. Have his task strip above the potty with his picture on it. 
  • NIGHTTIME. Do not work on this until at least 6 months after they are fully trained. Check after their naps/sleeping and if they are dry 3 out of 5 times, then go for it!!!
  • Let him give away his left over diapers to a family baby…… they LOVE this and feel so proud! 

RAISE THE FUN FACTOR A LITTLE MORE!
  • Blue food coloring in toilet (boys love to see it turn green as they pee!)
  • Read favourite books while on potty. Keep them near potty.
  • Target practice with cut out shapes or cherries in toilet (when ready to teach standing up).
  • Stickers on a calendar for tracking success.
  • Buy a doll that wets it diaper. Kids LOVE this!
  • Buy potty books and DVDs.


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If you have questions, please contact Jennifer.