“Potty Training School for parents: A happy course to dryness”

Article from: University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Blog

I found this and decided to share *** I did not write it***

Course description: Potty training is a big step for kids and their parents. With so much information to take in, it can be confusing for parents to help guide their child. Take this “class” to learn tips and pitfalls from a specialist, and stay positive during the transition to the toilet!

Potty professor: Dr. Barb Felt is a developmental behavioralpediatrician, with a passion for elimination disorders and sleep disorders.

Potty prerequisites: Before we go any further, it is important to remember that each family and child has a unique situation. There is no fit-all method. But, a helpful rule to get started with potty training is to stay positive and support your child. Some children will naturally need more time to adapt to using the toilet so be ready for several months of positive effort. Still, if you see any signs of developmental, health or behavioral change that are a concern to you along the way, visit your pediatrician or family practitioner for guidance. With that in mind, we hope this crash course will help your family get an A+ for potty training effort!

Syllabus check list: Is my child ready to potty train?

1. Can your child communicate to you when they’ve had an accident or need to go?

2. Does your child show interest in the potty? (Do they try to follow a sibling into the bathroom or ask about it?) Does your child ask for a change of diaper when they have an accident?

3. Can your child stay dry for 2 hours during the day?

4. Is your child having regular bowel movements?

5. Can your child get to the bathroom on their own?

Training 101: The first steps toward the potty

1. Sit down and discuss the game plan with the child and any other primary care givers.

2. Establish the end goal and tell your child you are a support team to help get there.

3. Evaluate the comfort and safety of your potty training seat. If your child is on the adult-sized toilet, using a special seat top or not, they will feel more safe and comfortable if they can support their feet on a stool.

4. Designate times of the day that would work best for your child’s “sit times.” The best times may be transition points, like after waking up and after meals.

5. When it is “sit time,” tell your child to give the potty a try. Keep this as a direction or statement, not a question. Young children may misjudge the time needed to get to the toilet in time to go, so the sit times provide regular opportunities that will help promote a cycle of being dry and clean.

6. Use praise as an immediate reward for sitting. Some children also benefit from having a fun or special activity that can follow the sit times and encourage cooperation. Getting to sitting is the first step.

Read more at: http://mottblog.org/883/pottytrainingtip/