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Potty Training Workshop


with Dr. Rene Hackney (from Parenting Playgroups (http://www.parentingplaygroups.com)


Remember - Potty training is a “developmental milestone” like walking or talking. Parents/child care providers should never use punishment or disciple in potty training. You would never punish a child for falling down when learning to walk and shouldn’t do so in pottytraining. Parents should only use a lot of praise and encouragement.

Here is a link to the video of Dr. Rene giving this lecture:
http://www.monkeysee.com/play/4108-what-is-the-potty-without-pressure-method

Things to do BEFORE you try to potty train (as early as age appropriate):
• Buy books and read them often with enthusiasm - “Once upon a Potty” (for him or her), “Elmo’s Potty Time”,“Where’s the Poop”, “Everyone Poops”, etc… (plan ahead and buy them at NVPOM consignment sale)
• DVDs - “Potty Power”, “One upon a Potty”, etc… Mix in with other movies/TV shows. Don’t be surprised if child wants to watch over and over.
• Provide potty toys - Baby doll with potty, “Once Upon a Potty” plush toy, or any other pretend potty and toy.
• Call body parts by the right name -penis and vagina. If using other names, consider changing before (not during) potty training. Those are the only body parts people make up names for…elbow is “elbow”, nose is “nose”. This helps child feels more relaxed about the function of that body part and helps with communication with teachers, doctors, child care providers.
• Let child watch you use the toilet - talk the child throughwhat you are doing: “I have to go potty, I’m making pee, I’m wiping, etc…”
• Let child watch other kids go - invite a friend over who is potty trained and ask to watch the child go potty (especially if you children are not in child care outside of home).
• Buy a bunch of step stools (Ikea ones are nice and cheap - Ikea stool link) Consider getting one for each toilet AND sink so you don’thave to move them each time from toilet to sink to wash hands - you’ll be using them a long time)

Is my child ready for potty training?
• Signs a child is NOT ready:
o Hides to poop. This is often mistaken of a readiness sign. The child is telling you she/he doesn’t want you around and isn’t going to use the potty. Encourage the child to make poop in the bathroom (indiaper)…sitting down in bathroom is even better. Tell them that every goes in the bathroom.
o Child stands near the potty/toilet and pees/poos on the floor. Child is too stressed to go in potty and is relieved when stands up…and goes on the floor. Clearly not ready.
o Resistant to potty training - cries, says no, show fear, etc…they are not ready.
o Refuses to poop in potty/toilet (see lastpage with special section on this issue)
• Signs of early “readiness” - These are indications that your child may be ready soon but isn’t quite ready yet. When these show up be sure to start reading books, watching videos, provide “potty” toys (doll and doll toilet), talk about potty, let child watch you go potty, etc…
o Child can follow 2 or 3 step directions (“go get your shoes and meetme at the front door” or “go get your shoe and meet me at the front door and sit on the steps”). Going potty involves many steps that have to be in sequence…if a child can’t follow 2 or 3 steps, they aren’t ready to potty train.
o Child can calm down and sit for a short period of time (can go from running around to story time or snack time). Going potty requires some amount of sittingquietly.
o Says “no” and means it.
o Knows there is a special place for things - doesn’t necessarily put stuff away but knows that books go on the book shelf.
o Imitates behavior - plays in the toy kitchen, feeds baby doll, etc…
o More predictable and drier times - indicating they can “hold it”
o Aware of body and process - knows where pee comes from

• Real...