Get ready to Train
It all starts with changing the mindset. We can’t just tell children it's time to potty train and hope they jump on board.
Step 1. Changing room. Stop changing your toddler in their room, and especially not on a changing table anymore. It’s time to move things to the bathroom. Start changing them in the room where poop ultimately goes. I know it’s uncomfortable at first, but this sends this message to your little one that the bathroom is the place for potty related events.
Step 2. Start letting your little one sit on the toilet. When we were warming the bath, and our son was undressed, we would have him sit on the toilet and wait for the bath to fill up. In the beginning, he wasn’t interested, but we handed him a book or a toy and he just chilled there for 3 minutes. Once in a while, he would make a small tinkle and we would all celebrate. He got the idea that this was a good thing.
Step 3 : Start emptying their diapers into the toilet. Make sure they see you. Poop belongs in the toilet, time to start showing them. (See article "Potty Chairs vs Toilet Trainer Seats.")
Step 4: Lastly, let them flush. If you just emptied their diaper in the toilet, let them make a big deal of saying goodbye to it. sometimes the flushing sound, or the toilet itself can be scary for a toddler. This is a good way to start getting acclimated.
These small steps to potty training let the child know that the bathroom and the toilet are the appropriate places for future bowel movements. This helps to train their minds before ever bringing up the topic of potty training. Remember, you make on the potty every day, so you are already an expert!
