Potty Training: The Right Fit

By Diana Bermudez December, 2017

December Project SEED Sprout

Session

Mission of Project SEED:

To build a consistent family-centered professional development framework of evidence-based practices for providers* of infants & toddlers in order to strengthen the social and emotional development of children birth to age 3 in Virginia.

*Infant and toddler provider is defined as a provider of children birth to 36 months.

Funding is provided with support from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Grant # 93.575, with funds made available to Virginia from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Points of view or opinions contained within this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of VDSS or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Diana Bermudez Ph.D., LPC

• Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant and Licensed Professional Counselor

• Amare Counseling and Education

VS

The “Right Fit Approach” tries to tailor potty training to the uniqueness of each child.

Learning objectives:

Caregivers will understand the following three major factors that influence their role as potty training facilitators

Role of Caregiver

Child readiness

Family readiness

Possible challenges

Is the child developmentally ready? (not by age)

Can recognize and communicate

when wet or soiled

Can walk to potty

Can pull clothes

up/down

Interested (wants to use potty and wear underwear)

Temperament affects the

start and pace

What are other signs that you have seen? Please type in the chat.

Is the family ready? Child

Family circumstances:

-Level of stress

-Big changes (new baby, separations, moving)

-Parents in agreement

-Time to invest

Cultural values:

-Expected age

-How it is done

-Who is responsible

Mean Age Expectation in Months for Milestone Attainment Caucasian Puerto Rican Filipino

Utensils 17.7 26.5 32.4*

Wean off breast milk 16.8 18.2 36.2*

Sleep by Self 13.8 14.6 38.8*

Sleep all Night 11.4 14.5 32.4*

Play Alone 25.0 24.8 12.3*

Toilet Trained-Day 31.6 29.0 20.4*

Toilet Trained-Night 33.2 31.8 34.2

Source: Module 1 Infant and Toddler, Center for the Social and Emotional Foundations of Early Learning. www.csefel.vanderbilt.edu

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Possible challenges

Developmental delays

Medical conditions:

constipation

incontinence

Trauma related to private parts

or the bathroom

Inattention:

Out of tune with body

Not following steps

The Role of the Caregiver As Facilitator

Preparations • Include in your policies that potty training is an individualized,

team-based learning process

• Teach children the names of body parts, peeing and pooping

• Children’s books, videos and songs about the potty

• Make the bathroom an appealing and relaxed place

• Use older/more advanced peers as role models

• Look for signs that a given child is ready

• Discuss with family if they are ready, and plan together

The Role of the Caregiver As Facilitator Along the journey

• Avoid “3-day boot camp” approach

• Ask child if she/he wants to use the potty, and how. Do not force!

• Encourage but do not demand

• Have fun, sing songs, play games and relax

• If child refuses, put on hold until child is ready

• Accidents and regression are part of the process (like falling off the bike). Let children know it is inconvenient, but not a big deal. Avoid shame and fear of failure/disappointment.

• Celebrate the progress and trouble shoot with the family

The Nemesis of the Potty-Power Struggle

• Children have very little control over their lives.

• They can only control their own bodies: what goes in and out.

• Some children hold on to that power, especially when we try to control their bodies!

• When life seems out of control (big transitions, inconsistent environment), their bodies are all that they can control.

This is how I roll!!!

Recommended Resources • Toilet Training Guidelines: Day Care Providers-The Role

of Day Care Providers in Toilet Training. Pediatrics, Vol. 103, 1999. American Academy of Pediatrics.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/103/Supplement_3/1367

• Children’s book “You Can Go to the Potty” by William

and Martha Sears

• Elmo’s Potty Time DVD and song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1DugrrAxIg

Contact Information

Diana Bermudez Mental Health Consultant diana@amarecenter.com

Jackie Robinson Brock Project SEED Director

(804) 828-8593 robinsonjb3@vcu.edu

Deana Buck

Project SEED Principal Investigator (804) 827-0198

dmbuck@vcu.edu

Certificates of Participation

Kristen Stahr

khstahr@vcu.edu

Fax: (804) 482-2797

Voice (804) 828-9920