Toilet Training - KFL&A Public Health
Toilet Training - KFL&A Public Health
Toilet Training - KFL&A Public Health
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<strong>Toilet</strong> <strong>Training</strong><br />
Where can a parent go for help?<br />
• Child & Babytalk<br />
613-549-1154 or<br />
1-800-267-7875, ext. 1555<br />
• Ontario Early Years Centre:<br />
Kingston and the Islands<br />
613-384-1231<br />
North, Central, and South Frontenac<br />
Township-Sharbot Lake<br />
613-279-2244<br />
Lennox and Addington<br />
County-Napanee<br />
613-354-6318<br />
• Your local library for resources on<br />
parenting<br />
Adapted from Manitoba <strong>Health</strong><br />
September 2007
What is the child doing?<br />
Most children are ready to begin toilet training around<br />
the age of 2 to 3 years.<br />
The following are signs that your child may be ready for toilet<br />
training:<br />
• She can stand up and sit down on her own.<br />
• Your child is telling you when he needs to “go.”<br />
• She can follow simple instructions.<br />
• He is able to stay dry for several hours.<br />
• He can pull his pants up and down on his own.<br />
• She knows when she has gone to the bathroom.
What should the parent do?<br />
What is the child doing?<br />
A few tips to remember:<br />
• Relax! Your child will be successful.<br />
• Don’t attempt to toilet train if your child is upset.<br />
• A child may not learn to control their pee and poop at the<br />
same time.<br />
• Keeping dry at night may take a bit longer. Keep diapers<br />
on at night until your child starts waking up dry in the morning.<br />
• Accidents are common until the child is about 5 years old.<br />
Never punish or blame a child when they have an accident.<br />
• A child who has already learned to use the potty may<br />
start wetting again if there is a change in his life (like a<br />
new baby in the family, divorce or illness). Tell your child<br />
it is okay and that you understand.<br />
Remember:<br />
• It may take a child 3 to 6 months before they use the toilet<br />
or potty regularly.<br />
• If you have tried to begin toilet training and your child<br />
refuses to use the potty, give it a break for 1 to 3 months<br />
and then try again.<br />
• Every child is different, however, most children will be<br />
fully toilet trained by the age of 5.
What should the parent do?<br />
What should the parent do?<br />
Before potty training:<br />
• Teach your child to know when he is “going.”<br />
• Teach her words that both of you can understand like<br />
pee, poop, bowel movement, etc.<br />
• Let your child watch you using the toilet.<br />
• Give your child a potty.<br />
• Read books to your child about potty training.<br />
• Let your child dress and undress himself.<br />
• Look for signs that your child needs to use the potty<br />
or toilet.<br />
• Be patient.<br />
When your child is ready:<br />
• Be positive and calm.<br />
• Show your child the potty and tell him what it is used for.<br />
• Encourage your child to tell you when she needs to use the<br />
potty and take her right away.<br />
• Stay with your child while he is on the potty.<br />
• Let your child sit quietly until he is finished or wants to get off<br />
the potty.<br />
• Teach your child to wipe from front to back and to wash hands<br />
afterwards.<br />
• Praise your child whether they go in the potty or not.<br />
• Empty dirty diapers into the potty in front of your child. This<br />
may help him understand what he is supposed to do.<br />
• Let your child know that she can try again later if she doesn’t<br />
go in the potty.<br />
• After repeated successes, suggest the use of cotton under<br />
wear. Let your child help choose her underwear.