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Potty training readiness signs are easy to spot.
Are you wondering if your toddler is ready to potty train? Toilet training is such an important milestone in a child's life and can come with a ton of questions, too, especially if this is the first time you've potty trained a child.
I have toilet trained my own four children, two boys and two girls, and here are some common signs of potty readiness for you to look for as you decide when to potty train your child.
Potty training readiness cues - how many does your child show?
This potty readiness sign simply means that your child wakes up from a nap with a dry diaper. This is important because it shows physical control. A child must demonstrate physical control in order to use the toilet habitually.
- How long can your child stay dry? One hours? Two hour? Even longer?
This potty training readiness sign is an extension of the first one. Take note of how long, either while asleep or awake, your child generally stays dry. The longer the better before beginning potty training.
Once you begin potty training, you can use this information to schedule your potty chair times, so at first you are able to "catch" your child's pee in the potty chair. This will help her get the idea of using the potty chair instead of her diaper and show her that she has the ability to do so.
- Ability to get his own clothes off and on.
Obviously part of good bathroom habits is handling clothing. Your toddler must be able to easily and quickly get his pants down and out of the way, plus up again when he's finished.
You can help him by dressing him in only easy off, easy on clothing during potty training. Skip the belts and the overalls at this time!
- Ability to follow simple directions.
Your toddler or preschooler must be able to listen to you explain what she needs to do on the potty chair and then do it. Can she put a toy away when you tell her to? Can she throw a piece of trash away? You are looking for potty training readiness signs such as these.
- Mimics pottying with self or doll.
Often when a child starts to understand the potty training process, she will test out the idea on a favorite doll or stuffed animal. If you see your child taking her doll to the potty chair (or any chair), taking its clothes off and "helping" it go potty, that's a potty readiness sign.
- Asking to be changed after peeing or pooping.
When your child becomes uncomfortable in their wet or soiled diapers and asks you to change them, that is part of potty training readiness.
Some kids never go through this stage however. Most of my kids did not. They just didn't care and I used cloth diapers with three of my children, so they certainly knew they were wet!
So remember, your child may show several of these signs, but not all of them. That's okay. Every child is unique.
- Somewhat predictable and regular bowel movements.
When your child starts to have semi-regular - even daily - bowel movements, that's very helpful in the potty training process.
Once you start training you can use this information to take your child to the potty chair and have her sit until a normal poop happens.
- Is aware of and may even tell you when peeing or pooping.
Does your toddler come and tell you when he either needs to pee or poop or has already done so? Those are great potty readiness signs.
- Likes to cooperate with you.
This is a vital potty training readiness sign. Why? Because if your child is not in a generally cooperative stage, he will not cooperate when you try to potty train. All the other signs of potty readiness hinge on this one!
Now, I know that two year olds are often not cooperative, so this is a relative thing. In general, though, you are looking for your child to get pleasure from pleasing you.
- Interested in wearing underwear.
Does your toddler ask to wear "big boy" or "big girl" underwear? The beginnings of underwear potty training is an excellent sign of potty readiness, especially when combined with the next readiness sign.
- Likes the idea of "growing up" or "being big".
In general, does your child get excited about "growing up"? Toddlers who want to "do it myself" can be shown a really great thing they can do by themselves.
It's called potty training.
- Is able to sit on a chair for a few minutes.
Last but not least, a child who is ready to be toilet trained must be able to sit still for at least a few minutes. This is a learned skill like any other. You can help your child draw out her ability to sit on a chair quietly for a few minutes by sitting down and reading to her each and every day.
That time will become special for both of you and help her enjoy sitting quietly on a potty seat, reading and going pee and poop. A good lifetime healthy bathroom habit.
I have created a printable readiness log for you, Mom. It is designed to reveal your child's potty training readiness signs over a period of two weeks. I suggest you print out copies and track your toddler's potty readiness cues for at least two or three weeks in order to get an accurate view of his potty training readiness.
And remember, if few or none of these potty readiness signs are evident to you, then put the checklist away and try again in a few weeks or months. Most children in the western world are physically and emotionally ready to potty train between two and three years. That's just an average, however, so look for well established potty readiness signs and toilet train accordingly.
Popular potty training topics.
Potty Training Child
A list of all of our articles to help you while potty training your child.
Toilet Training Tips
Many times just one new piece of toilet training advice that I hadn't considered before was just the help I needed to help my child over a potty training hump.
Potty Training Boy
Additional tips to help if you are potty training a boy (I've trained two boys myself).
Potty Training Girls
Specific tips to help potty training for girls move smoothly (I've trained two girls myself).
Colleen Langenfeld is a mother with over 29 years of parenting experience and helps other busy moms around the globe at www.paintedgold.com.
Note from Colleen: Remember, I earn my living making excellent recommendations to you, Mom, so when you choose to click any of the links on this website and make a purchase, I may earn a commission.
Naturally, that means I care about what you think! If you try a product or service I recommend, I'd love to hear from you. How else can I keep my recommendations top notch for all my visitors?
And thank you, for stopping by.
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