Child's Age

Physiological and Motor Skills

Cognitive and Verbal Development

Emotional and Social Awareness

0 - 12 months

Begins to associate between cause and effect

Develops to enjoy praise and approval

12 - 18 months

Becomes aware of need to go potty

Begins to associate fullness with eliminations that follows

Emerging desire t mimic other children's behavior

May begin walking

May begin communicating verbally

Takes pleasure in doing it him/herself.

18-24 months

Early ability to briefly control sphincter muscles

Improves ability to picture a goal (using potty) and remember it long enough to complete the act

Increased urge toward self mastery

Better able to sit still

Increased ability to understand verbal explanations

Increased desire to please parents and win praise

24-36 months

Able to manage simple clothing

Improved memory helps child maintain potty routine

Takes great pleasure in increasing competence

Improved imagination allows for learning through play (dolls, role playing)

Gender awareness encourages imitation of same sex parent's bathroom behavior

3+

Gradually maturing of digestive system eventually leads to decrease of accidents and bedwetting by around age 5 or 6

Improved ability to break focus to go to the toilet and to resist distraction while getting there

Peer pressure encourages toilet use. Enjoys completing sticker charts and working to earn rewards