Potty Training with Nikki
I found this wonderful article in Better Homes & Gardens, July, 2003 issue.
“Too soon to toilet train? - Healthy family: news everyone needs to stay well-children over 27 months easier to train.
Doctors at The Children's Hospital in Philadelphia found that parents who tried to potty-train toddlers before 27 months of age ended up spending a lot more time at it than those who waited. It took 10-14.5 months to fully toilet train children younger than 27 months, the researchers discovered. Toddlers over 27 months mastered the bathroom in an average of 5-9.5 months, suggesting there's little to gain in tackling toilet training too early.
I found this article to be very true. While parents are eager to get their child out of diapers, because we all know diapers aren't cheap, they're creating such a task that could take longer than necessary. The earlier you try, the longer it takes. We, as parents, need to remember that potty training isn't OUR doing, it's our CHILD'S doing and our child's accomplishment. Let's not be in such a hurry to force our children to grow up so fast. They're only small for a little while.
That being said, if you're sure your toddler is old enough, shows signs of being ready for potty learning, and you're up for a serious try, I will be more than happy to assist you with your toddler learning to use the potty.
10 Signs your Child is Ready to Potty Train, from an article by Robert Needleman
Parents must begin the potty training process with their toddler at home over a weekend or long holiday before it begins at Wiggles & Giggles. If successful at home, your child is old enough (at least 27 months, but every child is different and I've known some to train earlier), shows signs of readiness, your child is not experiencing any other change, and I'm in agreement, I will follow up with the training at Wiggles & Giggles.
I follow a reward system with lots of praise and prizes. Each child is different and will learn and train at a different pace. This is your child's accomplishment. Not yours and not mine. Children should not be compared to how others are doing.
Please do not bring your child in underpants until I tell you that we are ready for that. During the training process, I will accept diapers or pull ups, whichever you prefer and provide, but NO HUGGIES SLIP ON DIAPERS! While your child is learning to use the potty, ONLY elastic waist pants or dresses are allowed! No overalls, onesies, belts, snaps, buttons, or zippers may be worn. We don't want to make this experience difficult by causing them issues while trying to go potty. Please provide up to 3 changes of clothes.
When will tuition drop to the next tier? When your child exhibits ALL of the following:
Soiled clothes will be sent home in a plastic bag to be washed. I will wash their sleeping bag or blankets if they have an accident during nap time. This will ensure they have something to sleep on the next day. Please note that children are NOT to nap without a pull up or diaper until they can stay dry for 2 full weeks!
Some other important points are:
Potty training is a team effort between you, your child and Amy's Kids. Please communicate often about your progress at home, as I will let you know how it's going here too!
“Too soon to toilet train? - Healthy family: news everyone needs to stay well-children over 27 months easier to train.
Doctors at The Children's Hospital in Philadelphia found that parents who tried to potty-train toddlers before 27 months of age ended up spending a lot more time at it than those who waited. It took 10-14.5 months to fully toilet train children younger than 27 months, the researchers discovered. Toddlers over 27 months mastered the bathroom in an average of 5-9.5 months, suggesting there's little to gain in tackling toilet training too early.
I found this article to be very true. While parents are eager to get their child out of diapers, because we all know diapers aren't cheap, they're creating such a task that could take longer than necessary. The earlier you try, the longer it takes. We, as parents, need to remember that potty training isn't OUR doing, it's our CHILD'S doing and our child's accomplishment. Let's not be in such a hurry to force our children to grow up so fast. They're only small for a little while.
That being said, if you're sure your toddler is old enough, shows signs of being ready for potty learning, and you're up for a serious try, I will be more than happy to assist you with your toddler learning to use the potty.
10 Signs your Child is Ready to Potty Train, from an article by Robert Needleman
- She's able to walk well on her own, and can pull down her own pants (elastic waistbands are good for this) and diaper
- She shows that she's aware of what's going on in her diaper-- either by saying something like “poo” or by looking uncomfortable when her diaper is full, or pausing in her playing.
- She's interested in what you do in the bathroom, coming in to watch from time to time. She might help to flush, or wave “bye-bye” to the departing poop.
- She's not completely caught up in the needing to say “no” to everything you suggest (the automatic “no” stage is usually between 10 and 30 months.)
- She has tried to sit on the potty, with her pants and diaper on, and doesn't seem to mind it. She feels “friendly” towards “her” potty.
- She understands when you ask, in a mildly interested way, “Do you need to use the potty?”
- She's fascinated by putting things into containers (blocks into the box, pouring sand or water in an out of a bucket.)
- She feels proud when she can do something “all by herself.”
- Her diaper is dry and clean often for a couple of hours at least.
- She's interested in “big girl underpants.”
Parents must begin the potty training process with their toddler at home over a weekend or long holiday before it begins at Wiggles & Giggles. If successful at home, your child is old enough (at least 27 months, but every child is different and I've known some to train earlier), shows signs of readiness, your child is not experiencing any other change, and I'm in agreement, I will follow up with the training at Wiggles & Giggles.
I follow a reward system with lots of praise and prizes. Each child is different and will learn and train at a different pace. This is your child's accomplishment. Not yours and not mine. Children should not be compared to how others are doing.
Please do not bring your child in underpants until I tell you that we are ready for that. During the training process, I will accept diapers or pull ups, whichever you prefer and provide, but NO HUGGIES SLIP ON DIAPERS! While your child is learning to use the potty, ONLY elastic waist pants or dresses are allowed! No overalls, onesies, belts, snaps, buttons, or zippers may be worn. We don't want to make this experience difficult by causing them issues while trying to go potty. Please provide up to 3 changes of clothes.
When will tuition drop to the next tier? When your child exhibits ALL of the following:
- they are AT LEAST 2 1/2,
- can identify the need to go potty and are able go on their own without assistance or without the need to be constantly reminded,
- can be trusted in the bathroom alone,
- and can remain dry in underwear for 2 full weeks.
Soiled clothes will be sent home in a plastic bag to be washed. I will wash their sleeping bag or blankets if they have an accident during nap time. This will ensure they have something to sleep on the next day. Please note that children are NOT to nap without a pull up or diaper until they can stay dry for 2 full weeks!
Some other important points are:
- The words we use at Wiggles & Giggles are: Potty, pee pee, and poop.
- Everyone starts by using the toddler potty chair and then will eventually graduate to using the potty seat insert on the regular toilet.
- The best way to learn is to teach. Have your child “teach” a doll or stuffed animal how to use the potty.
- Set a timer for 30-45 mins to remind you and your child when the next time is to try going potty. This will be done at Amy's Kids as well.
- Encourage your child to drink lots of liquids.
Potty training is a team effort between you, your child and Amy's Kids. Please communicate often about your progress at home, as I will let you know how it's going here too!
