Buy your toolkit

Stock up on your potty training essentials

• A potty for the bathroom and one to stick in a plastic bag when you are out and about
• Dry Like Me pads
• Lots of pairs of pants
• Wipes
• Reward chart and stickers

Are they ready?

Make an assessment if they are ready:

• Look for patterns in wet nappies to help predict when you will need to prompt them to go to the toilet
• Look for dry nappies and longer periods between wees as a sign that they are starting to gain some bladder control

Look for the signs

Spot the physical signs of readiness:

• Is your child around the age of 2
• Can they climb the stairs to the bathroom, take their trousers down?
• If your child is ill it is a good idea to delay potty training until they are better and able to focus on the task

Communicate

Are their communication skills ready?

• Can they follow simple instructions e.g. can you wash your hands?
• Can they make simple requests e.g. ask for a drink?
• Do they show signs that they know they are going to do a wee or poo in their nappy?

Routine

Put in place a good routine

• Find the bathroom
• Turn on the light
• Lift the loo seat
• Take down trousers / pants
• Sit on the potty or toilet
• Wipe with paper or a wipe
• Flush
• Wash and dry hands
• Turn off the light

Get them involved

Let your child get involved

• Help with packing spare clothing
• Picking underwear or potty
• Wash hands
• Put stickers on reward chart

Have fun

Make it exciting

• Talk positively about potty training and the freedom of not wearing nappies
• Don’t place them under any pressure
• Invent a celebration dance for trying
• Read books about potty training
• Download toilet training apps
• Introduce the idea of a reward chart or other system
• Watch TV shows about potty training