Wait patiently for your child to be ready. Your child should start showing an interest in the toilet before you begin potty training. [2] X Expert Source Sylvia RathParenting Specialist Expert Interview. 19 May 2021. This will usually be about the age of 2 or 2½. Your child should also be able to understand directions and stay dry for about 2 hours at a time. To increase success, make sure that your child can communicate and wants to be clean and dry. Coming to you when he/she needs a change is a wonderful readiness skill. Your child should also know: up and down, clean and dirty, and wet and dry. They should know the names of their body parts and the potty terminology used in your house, for example, pee and poop. [3] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source Get tools to help you potty train. It’s difficult for your child to use a regular-sized toilet without any adaptations. You can either get your child a small toilet that is their size, or you can invest in a smaller child-sized toilet seat that fits over your regular one. [4] X Research source You may also want to get a stool that your child can use to reach the toilet, or to reach the sink when washing their hands after using the toilet. You can also try switching to underwear or training pants. A lot of preschools will appreciate it if your child wears disposable training pants because they are easy to clean up after accidents and the child can pull them up and down making it easier to use the toilet. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source In fact, letting your kid pick out underwear or training pants can help get your child excited about the process. It’s also important to have clothes that your child can get off easily.
Try having them sit on the toilet about half an hour after eating. You should also encourage your child to take a break when they look like they need to go. They may wiggle around or grab at their crotch area, for instance. Get your kid to the bathroom as soon as you notice the signs. If your they end up going in the potty, make sure to show your excitement so they get the idea. Letting your kid flush the toilet can also be a fun reward for some kids. Rewards can be helpful, too. You can use whatever incentive your child enjoys, such as stickers or even reading time with a parent or sibling. Give your child a reward every time they go potty in the toilet. [8] X Research source
Ask your child’s teacher what type of shoes they prefer the children to wear and teach your child to put on and take off shoes by themselves. Let your child practice shoe tying with a string attached to a board. Show older children how to lower and raise their pants, waistbands, or zippers independently when using the bathroom. You also find toys which help your child work on buttons, zippers, and Velcro. Most children 3 and up can be taught how to put their coat on by themselves. Try laying the jacket flat in front of the child, facing away from them. Have them put their hands in the sleeves and flip the jacket over their head. [10] X Research source
Try keeping your kid engaged and very active in the morning. Play outside or choose an activity that’s physical instead of choosing a quieter activity like watching a movie. That way, they won’t want to sleep in the morning, and they’ll be tired out by the afternoon. Ask the school what the children will nap on (like a cot, a mat, or in a crib). Have your child practice napping on a similar surface at home. [12] X Research source Also, ask the school what items are permitted during nap time. Some schools may not allow the children to have comfort objects, like a pacifier, stuffed animal, or lovey.
Have your child work on feeding themselves during meal time. Younger children may use their fingers to eat. Three and four year olds should use spoons or forks. Practice using a cup with your child as well. [13] X Research source Practice “family style dining” at home. This is when food is served in big bowls and drinks are served in pitchers on a family table. Invite your child to use ladles to serve themselves food and to pour their drink into their cup from a pitcher. Nursery schools often work to teach your child to eat “family style”. [14] X Research source In school, children will be expected to be a part of the mealtime clean up process. Have your child clean their plates up independently by having a child-size trash can where they can throw excess food. Ask your child’s nursery school if they will be using paper plates and cups or if they should bring in a set from home. Teach your child that paper paper plates and cups are thrown out and at home, their plates and cups are washed in the sink for reuse. [15] X Research source
As your child gets to nursery school age, at age 3 or 4, try encouraging your child to play independently. When your child is bored and wants to play, ask them what they’d like to do. When they name it, help them get it out, and walk away to let them play. If they ask you to play with them, let them know that you’d like them to play by themselves for a little while.
You can also help your kid learn social skills by playacting conversations with them. For example, you could pretend to be one of your child’s friends and playact a conversation your child may have with another child. Try focusing play dates around activities your child enjoys or is interested in. That way, they are more likely to interact with the other kids. [18] X Research source Practice sharing and taking turns with your child. When playing with your child at home, play turn-taking games and practice sharing by asking to play with your child’s toys and having them practice asking you verbally to play with toys that you are playing with. [19] X Research source
As you get closer to preschool, pick up some books about going to school. That can help introduce the topic to your child, giving them a chance to talk about their thoughts and emotions.
If your child doesn’t listen, walk away and say, “It seems like you don’t want to listen right now. When you’re ready to listen, please come and get me so we can talk nicely. ”[22] X Expert Source Sylvia RathParenting Specialist Expert Interview. 19 May 2021. Games can also help encourage listening, such as I, Spy, Simon Says, Mother, May I?, and Red Light, Green Light. Older children can work on multi-step directions. [23] X Research source
Try working on art activities together. Your kid will be even more enthusiastic about art if you get to spend time together. If art isn’t your kid’s thing, try other activities that build motor skills, such as using building blocks or putting puzzles together. You could also try practicing some basic cooking skills.
One way to encourage communication is to not immediately fill your kids’ needs. That is, you may already know what your kid wants before they ask. However, make them ask for what they need before you give it to them. That will encourage them to be more communicative. You can also model behavior by vocalizing needs you have. If your kid sees you asking for what you need, it will help them learn that behavior, as well.
For example, you could say things like, “In a few weeks, you’ll be going to nursery school. Nursery school is when you go to a place where there are other kids. You’ll get to play and listen to stories. Mommy and Daddy won’t be there, but you’ll have another adult called a teacher looking after you, like when you go to daycare. Does that sound like fun?” Remind your child that going to school isn’t scary, and that they’re going to have fun. [27] X Expert Source Courtney CoprivizaElementary School Teacher Expert Interview. 18 June 2021.
Start with shorter periods away, such as 30 minutes, and work up to longer periods. Tell your child you’re going to leave, but that you’ll be back soon. When you come back, you’re proving to your child that you’ll do what you say. If your child doesn’t stop crying the whole time you’re gone after several sessions, they may not be ready to go to nursery school yet. [29] X Trustworthy Source Understood Nonprofit organization dedicated to resources and support to people with thinking differences, such as ADHD or dyslexia Go to source
Another way to help ease your child into nursery school is to have your child meet the teacher. That way, your child will be able to see how nice the teacher is, and they’ll have a friendly, familiar face on the first day of school. [31] X Research source
Another way to give your child choices is to let them pick out things for school in the morning. For instance, you can let them choose their outfit, as well as their snack or lunch.
