Potty Training And Daycare

Once you've decided to potty train, don't forget to include your child's daycare provider! Let them know that you are potty training and make sure you provide enough changes of clothes in case of accidents.

Daycare workers usually have a lot of experience in potty training and it is worth finding out their policy regarding potty training so that you can work together with them to make this milestone trouble free.

Don't confuse your child

It's very important to keep your child diaper free once you've started potty training so your child doesn't get confused. It's too much to expect your child to stop and think about whether they are wearing a diaper or not.  By forgoing diapers altogether, your child will know that they need to use the potty to relieve themselves. Your daycare provider may prefer you to train over a long weekend or during the holidays so that when your child goes back to daycare he can join the ‘big children' who are already trained.

Accidents

All children have accidents occasionally and you shouldn't let this worry you. The daycare worker will be use to this and have strategies to deal with the situation. Your child may want to ‘test' their care giver to see how they react and to be reassured that accidents are no big deal.

A calm and matter of fact acceptance that accidents happen, and a quick change into dry clothes, is usually all that is needed. In kindergarten or playgroup they may be used to ‘potty time' and not so used to asking for the potty, so you may need to give them a gentle reminder at home when they show signs of needing to ‘go'.

Play acting and role-play

Many daycare centers have a dolly that wets (and even poops!) so that the children can play act and role-play potty training with the doll. This helps them to integrate the experience and reinforce their potty training. They can then get cross with the doll for having an ‘accident' and show the doll how to go potty. You may want to have this type of doll at home too.

Clothes

It's a good idea to have your child in easy-to-wear clothes while you are potty training so that your child can dress and undress themselves, especially when they are in daycare. Velcro or elastic can be much easier for little fingers than buttons and zips.

If you train in warmer weather, your child will have less layers to worry about, and if you keep your little girl in skirts or dresses during this time it will help keep things simple and you should have less items to wash in case of accidents. When they are in daycare, make sure you have easily identifiable items that your child can recognize, and it makes it simpler for the staff too.

Remember toilet training is easier than you think and if you use this guide it's a simple three-day process.

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