Your child is ready to learn potty skills when he or she. 1. Has bowel movements at about the same time every day 2. Can stay dry for a few hours or wakes up dry from sleep 3. Knows that he/she has to go to the bathroom 4. Understands the association between dry pants and using the potty 5. Can pull her pants up and down 6. Lets you know when he/she has soiled his/her diaper (likes to stay dry) 7. Can follow simple directions like, "lets go to the potty" 8. Understands potty terms (wet, dry, pee, poop, dirty and potty) 9. Can tell you he/she has to go to the bathroom 10. Imitates other family members 11. Shows interest and asks question while watching you 12. Wants to do things "by myself" 13. Enjoys washing his/her hands (like to be clean) 14. Gets upset if his/her belongings are not in their proper place 15. Wants to please you!

Getting Ready

Start by reading toilet learning books to your child (15 months and up). Once your child is ready for toilet training; you can go to the store and purchase training pants and a potty chair. Bring your child with you so that he/she will get excited about the whole process. When buying training pants, if you are choosing cotton, let your child pick out his/her favorite ones (Rugrats, Batman, Barbie etc.). Cotton training pants will let your child feel the wetness and will train faster. The downside is that they are messier! Disposable training pants are easy for cleanup and on the go but it may take longer to train if your child does not feel the discomfort of wetness. If you buy cotton, buy more than one three pack. You will go through these quickly and you want to have plenty in the diaper bag and dresser.

When purchasing a potty-chair, make sure you purchase a sturdy one. You want your child to feel secure when he/she tries it. Your child's feet need to be on the floor (This will eliminate his fear of falling in). You may also want to buy an extra one for outside or to keep in the car (it's better to go to your car and use your clean potty than go to a public restroom that hasn't been sanitized!)

 Introduce the potty in a casual way. Put it in a room where your child plays most often. The kitchen is a good place, so you can supervise. It will also encourage your child to use it more often if it is in plain view. Let your child play with it so he/she will get accustomed to it. Then show your child how it works. At this time you can also put your potty chart on the refrigerator. Explain to your child that each time he/she successfully uses the potty, he/she will get a sticker for his/her chart (use praise too, of course). This will be an incentive to get your child to start using the potty-chair. Once your child is used to the potty-chair, you can start to encourage use of it.

Helpful Toilet Training Tips! Make it fun!

• Make a big deal about using the last diaper or let your child help you throw out the diapers in the trash can. Shop together for new underwear!
• Dress your child in clothes that are easy to take on and off.
• Never punish or scold your child for accidents.
• If your child can't produce anything after 5 minutes of sitting on the potty, its time to try later.
• Train your child to wash his/her hands after using the potty.
• Change diapers and/or accidents as soon as possible. Explain the need to stay nice and dry. After awhile your child will want to stay nice and dry.
• Do not punish your child by keeping him/her in wet or soiled diapers. This is counterproductive and will not teach your child to use the potty.
• Do not pressure or nag your child to use the potty. The harder you push, the harder he/she will resist!
• Only remind your child to use the potty when he/she is showing signs that he/she has to go.
• Never force your child to use the potty.
• Let your child put wet underwear in a designated place, such as the sink or laundry basin and instruct your child to get and put on new ones.
• All caregivers should use the same approach and method to toilet training.
• If using cotton underwear, buy more than one 3 pack (9 pairs should be good)!
• Be prepared to spend some time in the bathroom with your child!
• Spring and summer is a great time to toilet train! Let your child go without his/her diaper.
• Make sure your child's diet has plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and juice.

Your child is trained when he/she goes to the potty without any assistance or reminders from you! Good Luck!