8 WAYS TOMAKEPOTTYTRAININGPLAYFUL

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8 WAYS TO PLAY ON THE POTTY

Get some laughter going around potty training with these 8ideas. For Playlistening to work, the parent takes a lesspowerful role than the child. For instance, you can, with awink and a bit of sparkle, suddenly be “afraid” of even goingin the bathroom. Many ideas here work like that. Some of these clearly aren’t experiments to try while visitingGrandma, but in the privacy of your home, watch to see whatkind of play brings laughter, and then do more of it, Laughter de-stresses and lifts fears! Have fun!

Monkey Peed on MeGrab your child's stuffed toy and pretend he peedon you! Scream in disgust...watch for laughter andyour child joining in make toys pee on you.

Shoot the PeaPut frozen peas or breakfast cereal in the potty ortoilet bowl and aim to shoot it with your pee. Youcan show your child "how to play" first. A great onefor dads to get involved with!

Did You Hear a Tinkle?Replace the words of a favorite song and sing it onthe way or on the potty. "Tinkle, tinkle, litte pee," isgood, or “Do you hear a tinkle, tinkle tinkle do youhear a tinkle of the pee?” You can sub in other "peenoises".

8 WAYS TO PLAY ON THE POTTY

Sneaky Poop..Respond lightly to accidents by looking mystifiedwhenever a "sneaky poop" creeps intounderwear. Ask if it flew in, swam in, check thedoors or letter box. And have your child chime inabout where to put the sneaky poop.

Funny NoisesHave your kid tell you what noises you should makewhen you pee or poo and ham it up! Opera whenpeeing? Traaa laa laaa....

Me. No. PottyGive your fingers a voice, and make it mad at thepotty. Walk your fingers over to the empty pottyand flip it over, say "Me no potty." Keep it up aslong as your child is laughing. If they "hate" thepotty, they'll probably join in!

Do the Silly Toilet ShuffleBust out your silliest moves and dance to thebathroom. Make up a few song lyrics to match:"Gotta skip to the beat and beat the pee, gottamake the toilet - dance with me." Then when youmake it, pause and give the most grateful sigh ever.

Squirt some food coloring or water color into thepotty and then pee on it. See how it changesbefore and after.

Color Parade

For more playful parenting games and ideas go to www.handinhandparenting.org