You will need: To role model by allowing your child to observe you To teach your child the language of toileting To talk to your child about what is happening when they show signs of passing urine or poos

Signs of Readiness:

• Knows when wetting or soiling when it happens or after it happens
• Can hold on for up to 2 hours
• Shows an interest in other’s toileting habits
• Uses toileting language
• Ability to dress and undress

You should:

• Remain calm and patient
• Offer toileting opportunities regularly during the day
• Ensure that your child doesn’t sit longer than 5 minutes
• Dress your child in clothing that is easy to pull down or up
• Get your child to flush the toilet
• Remember to get your child to wash their hands
• Reward and praise efforts
• Try to pick a time when a daily routine will be followed
• Offer the toilet a few minutes after food or drink
• During the day ask if your child would like to go to the toilet
• Remember accidents will happen and accept this as part of the learning process

Did you know:

The average age for children to be completely toilet trained is 3 years for girls and 3 ½ years for boys. Summer time is a good time to start toilet training as your chid is wearing fewer clothes and laundry is easier.

What your child is learning:

Children will usually follow these developmental stages:

• 1 -2 years – gradual awareness of bladder
• 3 years – able to tense muscles of the pelvic floor and hold on
• 4 years – able to stop the flow of urine
• 6 years – able to start urination at any stage of bladder filling