Potty Training Advice

I think that every child is different in the timing and manner in which they get potty trained except in two areas - their desire to learn and their choice of reward.

Every child has particular needs and wants. Most children however have a strong desire to fit in with other children. This is one desire that motivates children to learn new things on their own. As parents, we should try to encourage a positive peer pressure on children to teach them how to use the potty. It can start with showing them how you use the bathroom. Explain to them what the toilet is for, how to use toilet paper, and how to wash their hands afterwards. If it is like a new game they may be more inclined to learn.

However, that isn't enough for some children. But if they have friends or siblings that can already use the potty, they may me inclined to mimic that "big boy" or "big girl" behavior as they witness it. Never underestimate the power of positive peer pressure, but try not to be negative about their behavior. Always get excited about what they do that you like! And simply ignore, or just don't accentuate, what they do that is not the desired result. Be very careful not to berate children or demean them in any way - that will just make them feel bad and lengthen the time it takes to teach them. Telling a child "NO!" or frustrating yourself by emphasizing the negative actions will also just confuse them and turn them off to learning what you are trying to teach.

Just as a positive approach can change behavior, so can rewarding their positive behavior. In my child's case, he had a particular affinity to cherry flavored ices from the freezer. At first, we simply gave them to him when he asked, but when we wanted him to use the potty, we simply changed the criteria for obtaining the cherry flavored happiness he loved so much. He already had the desire for the ices, so we just told him that if he wanted the treat, he would have to use the toilet. So whenever he used the potty, we rewarded him with the ice. We never gave them to him at any other time, and we never failed to give it to him when he used the potty. You must be consistent with the reward for the particular behavior you are trying to teach or else, again, the child will get confused and he or she will just not learn.

Potty Training Advice
By George Halt