Getting your child ready to potty train

You can teach your child some bathroom basics months before you start the actual potty training. These lessons help your child get ready to potty train. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following timeline of steps to take.

By the time your child is 18 months old:

• Use and explain basic bathroom words. Start teaching your child simple words like "pee," "poop" and "potty." Say these words often. You can tell your child that every person pees and poops. You also can explain that pee and poop are like garbage that the body makes. But don't use words such as dirty or yucky when you talk about stool.
• Point out when your child needs to go to the bathroom. Some clues that your child needs to pass urine or stool include pacing, dancing, crossing the legs and tugging at clothes. When you see one of these clues, tell your child what it means. You could say that "poop is ready to come out" or "it's time to pee."
• Ask your child to come to you for diaper changes. Teach your child to let you know when your child soils a diaper. Try to make diaper changes pleasant too. Don't show any frustration or anger. Never yell at, scold or punish your child for soiling a diaper or urinating during a diaper change.

By the time your child is 21 months old:

• Explain what the toilet is used for. Can your child walk to and sit on a toilet?
• Point out other toilets. If you pass by toilets in a friend's home or a store, mention the toilets to your child. This helps your child remember what they are.

After your child understands what the toilet is used for:

• Teach what a potty chair is. Tell your child that the potty chair is like a small toilet for children.
• Prepare the potty chair. You don't need to put the potty chair in the bathroom right away. At first, place it wherever your child spends the most time. Let your child play with the chair for a few days. You could even put your child's name or picture on it.
• Show examples of toilet use. Can your child walk to and sit on a toilet?
• Teach not to sit on the potty chair in a diaper. Can your child walk to and sit on a toilet?
• Use make-believe. Ask your child to pretend to potty train a toy such as a stuffed animal or a doll.

If you answered mostly yes, your child might be ready. If you answered mostly no, you might want to wait — especially if your child is about to face a major change, such as a move or the arrival of a new sibling.

Your readiness is important, too. Let your child's motivation, instead of your eagerness, lead the process. Try not to equate potty training success or difficulty with your child's intelligence or stubbornness. Also, keep in mind that accidents are inevitable and punishment has no role in the process. Plan toilet training for when you or a caregiver can devote the time and energy to be consistent on a daily basis for a few months.