Sometimes toilet training can be a difficult and frustrating task. This article offers some tips to parents and carers to increase their success at toilet training a child.
What are the ten tips for toilet training?
1)Consistency: It is very important that you are steady and unrelenting in your task to toilet train your child. It will not always be easy and there will be times when it is tempting to go back to using nappies, don't. If you do the child will become uncertain about what they are being told and your efforts will lose their strength and the training will lose its effectiveness.
2)Praise and Rewards: Giving the child support and encouragement goes a long way. It's a step for the child into new territory and they will benefit from your support and encouragement.
3)Boundaries: Take your time to get it right. Too soon and it may fail. Wait for the right time and there will be much greater chance of success. Look for the signals that the child is ready before taking off the nappies at night.
4)Routine: Follow a steady routine that is not too quick and rushed. Give the child plenty of time and endeavour to remind your child about using the toilet as often as you can.
5)Explanations: Explain the process as clearly as you can to the child. Give demonstrations and talk them through it so they are fully aware of how it feels when they need to go. Teach them about cleanliness too.
6)Warnings: Ask the child if they need to go continuously throughout the day, so they have plenty of warnings.
7)Discipline: It is unnecessary to discipline them, accidents will happen. Use positive reinforcement to encourage them.
8)Restraint: Don't get angry with them if they are not doing what you'd like. Give them space and privacy if they require it.
9)Relaxation: Be calm and friendly in your attitude to toilet training.
10)Responsibility: Teach your child to do things by themselves, such as wiping and washing.