Before I had my own children, I thought toilet training was a period of a few weeks whereby a child transitioned from wearing nappies to wearing pants. Sure there would be accidents, and a few incentives might be required, but once it was done it was done. Over. Finished. Good bye nappy, hello happy pants.
Wrong.
We generally say a child is “toilet trained” when they can recognise the need to go, and get there in time to do it. But there is still a lot more to the toilet training process.
Catherine Oehlman
I am learning that it takes a couple of years (yes, YEARS) for the process to be done. Beyond the basics of get-there-and-go comes what I’m calling Advanced Toilet Training. Yep, made that one up all by myself. ATT for short.
Here are some things I consider to be part of ATT:
- Wiping #1s – girls need to learn how to wipe after a wee. This means knowing how much toilet paper to use, deciding on a lifetime of folding or scrunching, and learning which direction to wipe.
- Graduating from potty to toilet – some children start on a big toilet from the get-go, but others will need to adjust to the toilet after being previously accustomed to the potty. That usually also involves putting a stool in the right place to climb up onto the big loo for a time too. They also need to get used to the feeling of not having their feet flat on the floor!
- Using a big seat – A toddler seat that sits on your regular toilet is a great way of getting your child used to the big loo and helps them to manage more independently. However, at some stage they need to master the art of getting onto the seat themselves, balancing there without an adult holding them on and not falling in when they deal with toilet paper and wiping!
- Putting the lid down – have you seen those lovely loos with soft close lids? The ones where a boisterous boy can slam the lid down as hard as he likes and at the last second it slows and closes gently? Yeah, we don’t have one of them. Our lid is heavy so we need to teach our kids to put the lid down without losing their fingers.
- Flushing with the right button – decisions, decisions. Which button to use? Is it the big button for a big wee? Or the number two button for number twos? Or...
- Washing hands – this is a really important part of toilet training. We sing, “This is the way we wash our hands...” while soaping and rinsing.
- Dry overnight – often children who are completely toiled trained during the day still have trouble staying dry at night. Some kids master dry days and nights all at the same time, others spend a little longer in night nappies.
- Wiping #2s – this is probably the most challenging of the ATT skills. Wiping up mess is tricky for kids even when they CAN see what they’re wiping! Most kids need help with this until at least 3 ½, usually longer.
Where are you at in the toilet training process with your kids? Are they not there yet, dealing with the basics, or in the process of ATT?!
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Catherine Oehlman is a SAHM currently being raised by a terrific toddler and a curious crawler. Her background in primary education, love of the mothering journey and compulsion for writing collide on her SquiggleMum blog. Cath encourages other parents from all walks of life to maximise the time they spend with their children.
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Monday, 23 November 2009
Mr 1 has discoverd the art of hold and wee. Finds himself rather amusing. If you let him go nude for a couple of minutes he is like a little puppy let loose and widdles all over the place. I am very glad for tiled floors.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Keeps telling us its 'yukkie' and asks for a nappy. We are trying to be pacient however it feels like nothing is working. We have tried the potty, rewards, etc etc. Im starting to wonder if we need to engage an occupational therapist ? Any suggestions you have could be appreciated.
Thank you - Catherine
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Monday, 30 November 2009