Episode 10 - I CAN USE THE POTTY NOW

Melissa Stephenson, Preschool Teacher at Discovery Child Development Center in Morrisville, North Carolina discusses ways to make the potty training process as smooth as possible for both the child and the parents.

POTTY TRAINING

Episode 10

When a child complete the potty training process, it is a great milestone for the child and family. The child becomes more independent and can help build self-esteem. For parents in means the end of changing and purchasing diapers. That said, it is one of the most challenging aspects of early childhood for everyone involved. I didn’t quite get this at first because my first child was using the potty on his own by the end of the first day. Maybe we knew something others didn’t. Well after just completing potty training with my third child, I can truly appreciate the struggles of potty training. It can be exhausting, frustrating, confusing to the child and the parent. When we picked out a dog this summer, my #1 requirement was that the dog be fully potty trained because I was not going through it again.

Guest Information - Melissa Stephenson is a preschool teacher at Discovery Child Development Center in Morrisville, North Carolina. She has worked in the early childhood field as both a teacher and an administrator for the past 14 years. Prior to joining Discovery in 2014, she was a toddler teacher where she potty-trained groups of students at a time. Also, as part of her administrative duties, she trained teachers on how to potty train students.SIGNS OF READINESS TO USE THE POTTY

Child starts hiding when they have to go to the bathroom. They may often will hide behind furniture or go to a corner.
Child sometimes will hold onto their diaper because they do not like how it feels when it is wet or dirty.
Will sometimes asked to be changed
Diaper is dry for longer period of time
Language skills
Child shows interest in the potty

WHEN TO START

Children are starting much later than they used to as a result of disposable diapers becoming popular starting in the 1970s
Some children can show signs as early as 18 months, but usually between 2 and 3
Need to consider the child and not just the age
Have coordination and fine motor skills to pull pants up and down

PREPARING FOR POTTY TRAINING

Read books about using the potty
Narrate the steps of what you are doing when you are using the bathroom so they learned the vocabulary
Take them to pick out underwear so they are excited to put it on
Parent should also should be prepared to set aside the time to potty train. You will have to commit at least a few day
It can be helpful to start during a long weekend, or a holiday break when you know you will have more time

FIRST DAYS OF TRAINING

Keep it fun and as stress free as you can
Be prepared to do a lot of laundry
Be ready for accidents
Do not make a lot of plans outside of the house
Be committed to the approach that you picked
Encourage but do not push too hard to get them on the potty
You could try a "potty party" where there is a celebration in the bathroom every 10-15 minutes

DIFFERENT APPROACHES

Child Centered - This method was popularized in the 1960s by Dr. T Berry Brazleton and advocates waiting until the child makes the choice that he or she wants to use the potty. You start with them fully clothed on the potty, can be put them on right after they have gone to the potty, and then gradually moves to removing diapers. If a child does not appear ready, this approach recommends taking a break and trying again.
Boot Camp Method (1-3 Days) - There are many variations of this approach advocated in the 1974 book by Nathan Azrin and Richard Foxx. In this approach you commit a few days and remove all diapers right away. The child is put on the potty at certain intervals and extra fluids are often given to help the process. Parents are advised to use reinforcements to encourage the behavior.

COMMON MISTAKES

Lack of consistency - it can be confusing if parents are alternating a lot between diapers, underwear and pull-ups. We have used pull-ups at night for several after our children have been potty-trained
Make sure you are not starting before the child is ready
Do not overreact to accidents. They happen

ESTABLISH ROUTINESSet regular times for the child to use the potty such as before watching a show. That can help avoid power struggles later. It is always good to have them try before leaving the house.

Follow their patterns, there are often certain times of day when children will need to use the bathroom

FULLY POTTY TRAINED

While a child will be able to use the potty successfully, within a day or two, being full potty trained will take much longer
Child will tell you when they have to go
Can pull down pants up and down independently
Can get on and off the potty by themselves
Able to wash their own hands
Are able to wipe themselves
The complete process can take 4-6 months
While a child can

SUPPORTING POTTY TRAINING AT SCHOOL

Make sure to send additional changes of clothes and shoes
Take your child to the potty right before school starts
Communicate with teachers on the method you are using at school
Maintaining consistency is key
Trust the expertise of the teachers, they are usually very skilled at recognizing when children have to use the bathroom and will checkin with them throughout the day
Give them experience using the potty outside of the home

TIPS FOR USING PUBLIC BATHROOMS

Discuss it before you go
You can bring a small or a travel potty with you
Automatic flushing toilets can be upsetting to children. You can block the sensor with your hand or a stick-note.
Foldable potty seats can be helpful because the size of the toilet can be scary to kids

SHOW AND TELL SEGMENTYour child will eventually get it

Some children respond well to rewards such as M&M's when they use the potty
Other parents will set up a game such as aim at the Cheerios, or will call the water in the toilet so that it will change colors when they go