Toilet Training

Toilet Training is more suitable than "toilet trailing," since the emphasis should be on the active role of the toddler who is ready to learn to use the toilet or potty.

Readiness 

Readiness  for toilet learning's is usually achieved somewhere between 18 to 30 months of age, but the skill is often acquired more rapidly after 26 months of age 9 Azrin, 1976). The child's age does not matter nearly as much as the child's readiness. When children are ready for toilet learning, they will indicate their readiness through various signs.

Signs of Bladder and Bowel Control 

- The child is dry or clean for several hours at a time.
- The child has an awareness of a full bladder or bowel(bowel control often comes before bowel control)


Signs of Physical Development
-Moves to the potty or toilet
- Pulls down loose-fitting pants
- Sits down and gets up without help
- Is aware of wetting or having a bowel movement in the diaper, that is, the child clutches the diaper when wetting

Signs of Readiness to Learn

- Knows body parts
- Understands wetness and soiling
- Use signs or words to show needs
- Wishes to learn and to please

Parents can share their understanding of the child's behavior and attitude to toilet training with caregivers. It helps if caregivers and parents discuss toilet learning before the child shows readiness (at approximately 1 year of age during the initial director/parent interview). This would familiarize caregivers  with parents' attitudes and expectations . The sharing of resources and ideas between caregivers and parents also encourages a positive experience for the child and consistency in toileting routines between home and the child care setting. At the same time ,caregivers need to use their own judgment. Children may express different attitudes and behavior in the childcare program than at home.

        Toilet training is most successful when there is no stress. It is a good idea to avoid beginning at busy times, such as around the arrival of a new baby, a family moves or a move to a new child care setting. Both parents and caregivers need to be easy going about toilet training. It also helps if the equipment and clothing are comfortable and suitable

- a potty chair or toilet seat with a stable support for the child's feet
- Loose clothing
- Training pants

     The best equipment is a child's potty chair with a removable potty. This is more comfortable and less frightening for young children than a toilet det high off the ground. It is also steadier than a potty alone. Children should be encouraged to sit on the potty (With a caregiver near them) after meals , before and after naps, and before trips. However, it is not necessary to force them to remain longer than they wish.

It is important to praise the child for sitting on the potty or toilet. However, it might be necessary to delay flushing away the urine in the child's presence if it frightens the child.

When an accidental soiling or wetting occurs' scolding of forcing the child to sit a long time on the potty is not recommended .if the toddler seems unready for toilet learning, it is best to return the child, without comment, to diapers and try the process again later.