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Potty Training a Two Year Old

A Guide to Potty Training 

Potty training is a big milestone not only for kids but also for their parents. Many children show signs of readiness for potty training between 18-24 months old. While it’s much better and more convenient to potty train your child as soon as possible, age should not be your main factor to tell when your precious one is ready to start potty training.

When to Begin Potty Training a Two Year Old

To determine when your child is ready for potty training, ask yourself these questions:

  • Can your child follow basic directions?
  • Can your child sit on the toilet?
  • Can your child keep his diaper dry for at least 2 hours?
  • Can your child express words when he needs to go to the toilet?
  • Does your child show interest in using the potty?

You can start asking these questions when your child turns 2 years old or even earlier. If your answer is yes to most of these questions, then it may be the best time to start potty training a two year old. If you answered no to most of the questions, then you might want to wait and start potty training at a later time. 

Tips for Potty Training a Two Year Old

Introduce the toilet gradually

Introduce the concept of using the potty for peeing or pooping gradually. You can bring up the subject during play, using toys and saying things like “Teddy wants to go to the potty” or “Mickey needs to use the bathroom”. You can also purchase children’s books about potty training. This will help your child be open and comfortable about the idea of going to the potty when necessary.

Teach hygiene

Start with the most important and basic habits like washing your hands carefully. Experts say proper hand washing includes wetting hands in water, lathering with soap, and scrubbing the hands for at least 20 seconds. To make hand washing fun for your child, you can use colorful kid-friendly soaps and incorporate singing songs like the ABC song to encourage scrubbing for 20 seconds.

It’s also important to teach your child proper wiping and flushing. For girls, teach your child to carefully wipe from front to back to prevent infections.

Offer praise and rewards

When potty training a two year old or younger, understand that accidents are naturally part of the process. Even children at the age of 5 years old have accidents and hardly stay dry at night, so you have to be extra patient when potty training younger children.

Instead of punishing your child when accidents happen, reward them when they manage not to get in one. You can use small rewards or simply praise your child when he/she is able to successfully use the potty.  This promotes consistency in performing positive potty training habits. 

Summary

Potty training is a crucial stage for your child, so it’s important for you to make your child feel supported and not pressured during the process. Just be patient and celebrate potty training successes to encourage consistent positive results.