Is
Your Toddler Ready For Potty-Training?
It's
not a contest!
Virtually
all children are toilet trained by the time they go to school, so a few
months here or there doesn't make a lot of difference now.
Most
children are ready anywhere between 24 and 36 months. There's a wide range
in the 'normal' age for potty-training. Boys generally start later and
take longer to train than girls.
Sign
of the times
Keep a lookout for signs that your toddler is interested in using the
potty and is aware of a bowel movement before it happens. Try not to be
competitive! Of all the achievements in your child's life, getting out
of nappies is one of the minor ones.
Ready or not?
The job of toilet-training is much easier
if you start with a toddler who has bowel movements at predictable times
of the day. Encourage them to use a potty at these times - have it ready,
show it to them, but make a game of it. Be lavish with your praise if
your child is successful.
No luck? Be matter-of-fact. Don't try to force things - it's probably
not the right time yet.
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