How to Determine if Your Child is Ready for Potty Training

When a child begins to show awareness of his or her bodily wastes, it is time to begin potty training. The average age for potty training is two and a half years, but some children may be ready as young as 18 months, or as late as age three or later. Successful potty training is dependent on the readiness of the child. Is your child ready to give up diapers? Here's how to find out.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. One of the first signs of readiness for potty training is that your child will visibly show when he is going to the bathroom. He may squat, stand in a corner, or begin some other habit that makes it obvious he is aware of what his body is doing.

2. As your child begins to understand how his body eliminates waste, you will begin to notice that he needs fewer diaper changes, and that he stays dry for longer periods of time. This is another sign that your child may be ready for potty training.

3. Teaching your child the names of his bodily functions, such as pee, poop, or whatever your family chooses to use, is a great way to prepare for potty training. When your child begins to use the words on his own, at appropriate times (such as after a bowel movement), he is ready to begin potty training.

4. Can your child communicate his needs, telling you when he is thirsty, hungry, or tired? Even if it is through sign language, this is an essential step to potty training readiness. A child who can let you know when he needs to use the bathroom will make potty training a lot easier.

5. How well does your child follow simple directions? If you can ask him to put his cup in the sink, throw the ball, or go pick out a favorite book, and he usually complies, this is an indication that potty training may be possible at this time. Being able to follow directions will allow him to learn how to use the toilet, wipe, and even flush with greater success.

6. The last sign, while not as important as the first, can still be useful when potty training a toddler. Can your child remove, and then put back on, his pants on his own? There will be times, such as the middle of the night, when you are not readily available to perform this task for him. Being able to do it himself will allow him to be much more successful at using the toilet.

Tips & Warnings

• Patience is the key to potty training. Remember that it will take time, and that there will be plenty of accidents before he is entirely potty trained.
• Don't rush your child, or feel like your child is falling behind, if he is not potty trained by two and a half years of age. Some children take longer to reach the developmental level to master this task. And some children are just exceptionally stubborn. Give it time. Potty training is challenging, both for the parents and child. But everyone figures it out eventually.