Many people try to put an exact age on when potty training or learning to use the toilet should begin, however there is no exact age. Most toddlers are ready by 2-2 ½, but some children may not be. If you start the process before your toddler is ready you will actually delay potty training rather than hastening it. This makes the first step in potty training to access whether or not your child is ready.

Your child may be ready if:

• Can follow simple instructions and ask simple questions.
• Can walk well and remove clothing. (pull pants up and down)
• Is interested in the toilet and wearing underwear.
• Has long periods of time without wet diapers and bowel movements are predictable.
• Dislikes wearing a diaper especially when wet or dirty.
• Expresses the need to go to potty in actions or words.

Basically your child needs to be able to tell you he/she needs to go potty, understand your instructions about the potty, walk to the potty and undress, and have the bladder/bowel control to hold in their potty until they get to the potty.

If your child is ready, it is easiest if you buy a potty chair, it’s a good idea to take your toddler with on this trip and buy new pull-ups and underwear in the same trip. Get your toddler excited about becoming a big kid with a potty training shopping trip.

Once your have the necessary equipment it’s time to introduce the potty. You can let your child watch you or the parent of the same sex as the child potty so he/she can see how it works. Be sure to explain things as you go and show them the result in the toilet after. This may seem silly but is very helpful to a learning child. Boys should begin potty training sitting to pee. Also place your child on the potty routinely when he/she normally goes potty. Don’t force your toddler to stay just set them on the toilet and let them sit till they want to get up. It may also help to empty your toddlers poop into the toilet from his/her diaper and let them watch. This will help create an association between potty and the toilet.

Be sure to offer incentive, reward, and praise when your toddler successfully uses the toilet but don’t scold mistakes. Potty training is a learning process one that will take time. Punishment for accidents will only slow the process. You’ll need to be patient, offer reminders to your child to go potty and lots of love. Also keep in mind that night-time potty training takes longer than the day time training. Even if your child masters using the potty during the day he/she may still need a pull-up at night.