Understanding Potty Training

Dr. C. Miki Henderson and

Marya Olmos of

Western Arizona

Council of Governments

Objectives

• Basic history of potty training

• Signs of readiness

• Tips and techniques for appropriate potty training

• Plan for working with families

• Common Problems

Cultural Evolutions• Native American tribes packed

grass under rabbit skins

• Inuits placed moss under sealskin

• Japan during the Edo era (1603–1868), farmers used an ejiko, a wooden bassinet layered with absorbent materials

• In many warm places toddlers simply go naked below the waist

Modern History of Diapering• Europeans swaddled infants, infrequently

changed and bathed them

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

• Swaddling cloth of oiled silk prevented leaks

• Safety Pin (1849)

• Rubber Pants (1890)

• Diaper rash remedies were burnt flour or powdered vegetable sulfur

History of Potty Training

• John Locke (1632-1704) “Pierced Chair”

• 1800-1900 Parent-Centered Approach-Laxative Use

• “Potty Benches” of Communist Germany

• West Berlin Kommunes

• Dr. Spock (1946) “Readiness Approach”

• Marion Donovan invented disposable diapers

Signs of Readiness

Four Areas:

• Motor

• Cognitive

• Language

• Toileting

Motor Readiness

• Able to squat without losing his/her balance

• Able to dress/undress his/her self with limited help

Cognitive Readiness

• Demonstrates imitative behaviors

• Plays make believe

• Able to sit down or play quietly for about 5 minutes

Language Readiness

• Able to understand simple requests

• Able to show his/her needs using words, signs or gestures

• Can name urine and bowel movements (i.e. poo poo, pee pee)

Toileting Readiness

• Able to stay dry for at least an hour or two

• Awareness of what the toilet is for

• Aware of being wet or soiled with consistent bowel movements

• Not currently experiencing a stressful situation

School Techniques

• Coordinate with Families

• Transition from Diapers

• Easy Clothing

• Incorporate into Curriculum

• Build it into the Routine

• Observation/Imitation

• Nutrition is Key

• Daily Communication

Parenting Techniques

• Wait-and-See

• Potty Planner

• Training Pants Transition

• Eyes on the Prize

• Panty Raid

• I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Pee

Tips for Professionals

• Not all children in your class can or should be training at the same time

• You know more about training, but families know their children—work together

Tips for Professionals Continued

• Never turn down plastic grocery sacks for your stash

• Communicate daily about how children are doing, but do not take pictures of BMs!

• Don’t compare children

• Don’t talk about the progress of other children with other families

• Don’t bribe or threaten children—keep cool

Tips for Families

• Your child will be ready when they are ready and there’s no pushing it.

• You cannot compare them to their siblings or other children.

• Do not bribe children!

• Make it routine.

Tips for Families Continued

• Accidents happen: use easily changed clothing and shoes, keep extras handy, bring along bags for soiled clothing

• Do not keep flipping between diapers/pull-ups and underwear

• If you want the preschool to start training, then you must also do it at home

• Make sure it’s a good time to start

Creating a Collaborative Plan• Have a discussion

• Culturally Responsive

• Make a written plan

• Revisit the plan often

• Be consistent/flexible

• Revise the plan if necessary

• Celebrate the triumphs

• Support struggling families

Common Problems

• Resistance

• Refusal

• Won’t have a BM on the potty

• Was trained but has regressed

Resistance

• Too many reminders

• Too many lectures

• Forced to sit on the toilet against their will

• Punishment

When resistance occurs…

Investigate:

• Confusion

• Anxiety/Fear

• Control –Independence Issues

• Too much pressure

• Physical Pain

Refusal

Why? Possible Reason…

• It is big…cold

• Makes loud noises

• Things disappear in it never to be seen again

When refusal occurs…

• Need to increase their comfort level

• Reassure them that is what is supposed to happen

When “No!” Happens

Why?

• May be discovering that “NO” is a way

to exert power

• Control and independence

issues

How to help?

• Talk to the parents…

• Resist reminding

• Don’t hover

• Be calm about accidents

• Praise good behavior

Won’t have BM on the potty• Very common

problem

• Fearful of making a mess

• Observe and Log

• Use a pull up/diaper

• Watch for constipation

• Talk about body functions

Regression

• Even small changes

• Be careful not to push

• Find ways to reinforce his/her independence