Practice toileting

You will need:

  • To role model by allowing your child to observe you
  • To teach your child the language of toileting
  • To talk to your child about what is happening when they show signs of passing urine or poos
practicetoileting

Signs of Readiness:

  • Knows when wetting or soiling when it happens or after it happens
  • Can hold on for up to 2 hours
  • Shows an interest in other’s toileting habits
  • Uses toileting language
  • Ability to dress and undress

You should:

  • Remain calm and patient
  • Offer toileting opportunities regularly during the day
  • Ensure that your child doesn’t sit longer than 5 minutes
  • Dress your child in clothing that is easy to pull down or up
  • Get your child to flush the toilet
  • Remember to get your child to wash their hands
  • Reward and praise efforts
  • Try to pick a time when a daily routine will be followed
  • Offer the toilet a few minutes after food or drink
  • During the day ask if your child would like to go to the toilet
  • Remember accidents will happen and accept this as part of the learning process

Did you know:

The average age for children to be completely toilet trained is 3 years for girls and 3 ½ years for boys. Summer time is a good time to start toilet training as your chid is wearing fewer clothes and laundry is easier.

What your child is learning:

Children will usually follow these developmental stages:

  • 1 -2 years – gradual awareness of bladder
  • 3 years – able to tense muscles of the pelvic floor and hold on
  • 4 years – able to stop the flow of urine
  • 6 years – able to start urination at any stage of bladder filling