Some toddler activities that worked well for my son's potty training was making a "Potty Prize Box"! It's a special box of small toys and treats he could choose after a successful potty attempt. The excitement of picking a new prize each time was a great incentive. We also turned it into a game by creating a simple chart with stickers - he loves adding stickers and tracking his progress!
My best tip would be to make it fun and exciting! For my son, we created a little reward chart with stickers. He earned a sticker every time he successfully used the potty, and when he had 5 stickers, he got to choose a small toy from a special box. The satisfaction of choosing that toy was a great motivator!
My girl took awhile to warm up to the idea of using the toilet. What worked was involving her in the process - letting her pick the stickers we used for every successful attempt, and letting her flush the potty afterwards. Stickers and rewards worked wonders - but I also emphasized that it wasn't just about getting the sticker, but learning a new skill and being a big girl! Patience and consistency are key - it took weeks before accidents became rare.
Two things that worked for my kid were sticker charts and rewards. Every successful potty attempt earned him a sticker, and after a certain number of stickers, he got to pick a small toy from a reward box I prepared. The immediate positive reinforcement worked wonders! Also, lots of praise and encouragement every step of the way helped boost his confidence.
For me, bribery was the key - I'm not afraid to admit it! Promise them a special toy or a trip to the zoo, and make sure you deliver. That promise of a new superhero figure worked wonders, and if it's a girl, a new dress or a hair accessory would probably do the trick too. You'd be amazed at how focused they become on using the potty when there's a reward involved! And of course, lots of praise and attention when they succeed helps too - it's all about positive reinforcement. But hey, every kid is different, so you might have to try out a couple of tactics before you find what works for your stubborn little one.
For sure, having your child pick out their own potty training accessories in their favorite colors or with favorite characters is a great way to instill a sense of ownership and autonomy! It makes them feel involved and might incentivize them to use the potty.
Keeping a consistent routine, with scheduled toilet breaks, worked well to develop my son's toilet habits. We also made sure to provide lots of liquids to maintain hydration, which apparently helps with urine control - though that meant more accidents in the beginning! A pair of trusty training pants also helped save the day (and our carpets). And like you, we also found that not overreacting to accidents kept things calm and positive during an otherwise frustrating time. What other tips do you mummies have for cleaning up those inevitable messes?
I think it's smart to leverage their excitement over choosing their favourite toys and having some control over their belongings. It channels their energy and enthusiasm in the right direction!
While it's a common challenge to get toddlers to stay put on the potty long enough to do their business, my main issue was getting them to inform me when they needed to go. This caused many an accident and plenty of tears. My solution was to train them to associate a special whisper or code word with their private parts or going potty. This helped them become more aware of and vocal about their bodily functions, which was half the battle won!
Having your child vocalize their need to go is certainly half the battle! Making sure they have the vocabulary to express themselves is a great step towards independence too. My daughter struggled with the physical aspect; sitting still on the potty was a challenge for her, as she's an extremely active kid. We got her a special seat that she thought was cool and let her pick out some fun storybooks she could look at while "doing business," which helped keep her occupied!
That's a great question! keeping a positive and humorous outlook during the challenges of potty training is certainly helpful.
The initial excitement and motivation wore off quickly for my child too. What worked for us was setting small, manageable goals with plenty of breaks in between. We also made sure to praise and reward not just the successes but also the efforts and progress made with each try - a pat on the back goes a long way!
Having a good routine is half the battle won - you're right that keeping the focus on fun and not frustration keeps the mood light!
The key to success for us was always having a reward system in place and consistently following through. My kiddo was very motivated by small toys and sweet treats, so having those as a reward made her stay focused on her goal. We also had to make a big effort never to rush the process once she was on the potty - she needed those few minutes of quiet time to relax and "go." It's a delicate balance because you don't want them straining either, but that patience has never done us wrong!
Training pants are a lifesaver, especially for those who are in the initial stages! It's reassuring to see progress without putting them straight into undies and risking accidents galore haha.
Potties are a no-go for some kids - my older one hated them at first. He got freaked out by the sensation of sitting on a tiny throne. So don't force it if they resist - there are options like training pants that can make the transition easier!
Having a star or sticker chart worked well for my active boy too - he loved seeing his progress visually! We made it a family affair, with the whole household getting involved and taking turns praising him. As for incentives, I didn't go for anything material - but let him pick his favourite meal for dinner each time he filled up a weekly chart! This kept him engaged and looking forward to those end-of-the week rewards.
The key to successful training is certainly finding what motivates your child - be it toys, stories, or sticker rewards. For the little ones who are past the initial excitement, keeping a clear and consistent routine, and using lots of positive reinforcement will help them stay on track. As long as you're consistent and creative with your methods, potty training can even be enjoyable!
It's great to have found a system that works for others! For those whose kids are resistant to training pants, what would you mammas recommend?
