Signs of Potty Training Readiness

There are 3 questions when starting to potty train you need to ask yourself.

• Is your child ready?
• Are you ready? (see Parent Readiness for more information)
• Do you have everything you need? (see Potty Training Checklist for more information)

This article answers the first question, "Is your child ready?". It might be hard to determine if your child is ready, but there are some signs to look for. Keep reading for more information, and good luck!

1) Physiological readiness signs for potty training are (Bladder & Bowel Control) :

• Child's awareness of the need to go - demonstrated by squatting, grunting, hiding when child feels need to eliminate.

• No BM's through the night

• Dry diaper for long periods of time i.e. from long naps and/or in the morning.

• Urinate a lot at one time (vs. a little through out the day)

• Some regularity of bowel movements.

2) Motor Skills readiness signs for potty training are:

• Is your child able to undress him/herself?

• Is your child able to pull his/her underpants down?

• Is your child able to pull his/her pants down?

3) Verbal and Cognitive readiness signs for potty training are:

• Your child can follow instructions - from simple instruction such as show me your nose, to more complex instructions such as putting away toys where they belong.

• Has the vocabulary required to follow your instructions - i.e. understands words such as potty, toilet, wet, dry, underwear, "big girl" etc.

• Is able to imitate behavior.

4) Emotional growth and social awareness readiness signs for potty training are:

• Desire to master one's own body and environment - manifested by "I can do it" or "I am a big boy/girl now"

• Child's desire for parental approval

• Child's desire to imitate and desire to be like others

What Next?

So, your child is ready!! Are you ready? Please read through our article on Parent Readiness.

There are also some more great potty training tips and articles, don't forget to check them all out!!