Child-Oriented Toilet Training Method

Objective

To prevent problems for a child in learning bowel and bladder control. Learning this control is a major developmental task and proper timing may enable a child to master the acts for him or herself. Training must proceed slowly to allow for periods of negativity that are common in this age group. If there is a breakdown at any time during training, parents are advised to stop and to reassure the child that he or she is not bad, but will learn when ready.

Readiness

• Child must be able to sit and walk.
• Child must have some understanding of verbal commands.
• Child displays psychological readiness:
  • has a desire to develop autonomy and self mastery,
  • feels secure with parent figures and has a desire to please them, and
  • has a wish to identify with and imitate important people in the child's life.
• Parents must ready themselves and deal with outside pressures and anxieties about toilet training, aiming for a relaxed, pressure-free approach.

Method

1. Around 18 months of age, introduce a potty chair as the child's "own chair". Allow the child to get familiar with it and verbally associate it with the parents' toilet.
2. Daily, have the child sit on the chair fully clothed when the parent uses the toilet. Parents may read or offer treats to the child while he or she sits but allow the child to leave at will.
3. After 1 to 2 weeks cooperation, remove the child's diaper and have him or her sit on the potty. Make no demands nor attempts to catch anything.
4. When the child is comfortable with the potty and eliminates in his or her diaper, take the child to the potty, empty the diaper into it and explain that this is where bowel movements go.
5. If the child appears to understand, take the child to the potty several times a day.
6. As interest grows, remove diapers and pants for short periods, place potty nearby and encourage the child to use it at will and independently. Periodic reminders may be given.
7. If child is progressing then put into training pants and instruct how to raise and lower them.
   After bowel control is obtained, boys can learn to urinate while standing by imitating other males. Nap and night training is left until later if it does not occur simultaneously with daytime control.