When to potty train
A common question parents ask is “What is the correct potty training age?” Although the most widely accepted answer is between 18 and 24 months, there is far more to be considered than merely the age of the child.
Parents may come under pressure from their parents to start earlier. “In my day children were all toilet trained by 18 months” is a common catch cry. ‘Their day’ was one when there were no disposable diapers. This meant that mothers were highly motivated to train early for their own reasons – not taking in to account whether the child was ready or not. Current western practices are more geared to consider the child’s readiness.
A common practice is non-western countries is infant toilet training or elimination communication. Infant toilet training involves a combination of the mother being highly aware of and responsive to their baby’s toileting patterns, and the conditioning of the infant to respond to verbal signals. This is by no means an easy option and does not teach toileting independence and is not what we consider full potty training. This method is used by very few western parents.
The reason 18 to 24 months is the suggested timeframe is that most toddlers attain the necessary levels of physical, emotional and psychological maturity during that period to make potty training realistically possible. Some toddlers may be physically ready but not co-operative, ie. in the throes of the terrible twos. If this is the case, it is better to wait until they are closer to 3 years old, when most children become significantly more compliant. Waiting will make the process more enjoyable and stress-free for both trainer and trainee.
The planets align on the commencement of potty training when the following factors occur, in other words you should start when:
1. You have no major events planned, such as the imminent arrival of a baby, a vacation or relocation
2. Your child shows the signs of readiness
3. You are ready! Patience, encouragement and consistency are must-haves.
Common issues with starting potty training too early
A toddler who is not ready is likely to have more accidents and less successes. This can lead to trainer and trainee frustration or even trainee refusal, and the process may in fact take longer to complete than waiting for complete readiness.
If the toddler has not reached the ideal level of physical maturity, they will not be able to competently undress and redress themselves, or wipe their little bottoms. Insufficient physical dexterity means more mess!
Common issues with leaving potty training too late
If potty training is left too late, getting the job done may be more difficult because bad habits there may be established, that is, the child may be too comfortable in a dirty diaper.
Also an older child may be more difficult to motivate. Toddlers are keener to please and imitate ‘grownup’ behaviors.
Getting prepared
You do not have to sit back and do nothing while you are waiting for your child to show the signs of readiness. There is groundwork and “warm up activities” you can do with your toddler to prepare them for the main event. Like most things worth doing, the more you prepare for potty training, the smoother it is likely to run.
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If you are looking for easy, inexpensive activity ideas to do with your toddlers and preschoolers, check out my other website Doing Stuff With Kids.
