Preparation

• You must prepare your child before you start the process or no potty training techniques will work. Allow your child to be comfortable in the bathroom and around the toilet. Let her flush the toilet and watch how it works. Let her be in the bathroom while you use it and explain to her what is happening. It also helps to let the child become familiar with the potty chair she is going to be using. Place the potty chair in the living area so she gets used to seeing it regularly. Let her sit on it and play around it fully clothed. Finally, as it gets closer to potty training time, have her sit on the chair without a diaper on so she gets used to the feeling.
  
  

Getting Started

• When you and your child are ready to start potty training, begin by watching for signs that he has to go to the bathroom. You may see a change in his facial features, or perhaps he will stop his activity or separate himself from everyone else in the room. If you see these signs, immediately place him on the potty. Also, you should take your child to the bathroom at regular intervals throughout the day. The average child will have a bowel movement one hour after eating, and will urinate an hour after consuming a drink. You may have to do this as often as every one to two hours until you see a pattern in your child's bathroom behaviors. Remember to always be patient. It may take up to three months for your child to become fully potty trained.
  
  

Tips

• There are a variety of potty training techniques parents use, and they differ greatly based on the child. Incentives are a good way to encourage your toddler to potty train. Treats, such as candy or ice cream, are a good reward when a child does well. It also helps to follow a successful potty trip with high praise.
  
  Another method is to take your child shopping in the beginning of the potty training process. Let her pick out new underwear she likes, perhaps a pair featuring her favorite cartoon character. You can also let her pick out some new books and dub them "potty books," that she can only read while using the bathroom.
  
  Remember to be consistent with your schedule. Take your toddler to the potty at the same time each day. Also, ask him frequently if he needs to use the restroom. Sometimes when kids are playing or busy with another activity, they won't realize they need to go until it is too late.