Who says potty training can’t be fun? Teach your little man how to potty train the easy way, through play!
Tip #1: Boys learn best when they are having fun and playing. Make potty training part of their play and normal routine.
Let your child bring his little buddy, truck, or favorite dinosaur with him to the bathroom
Put several of his favorite books next to the potty or better yet, read to him
Sing songs
Have him take a deep breath, close his lips gently, and then exhale, forcing air past his lips which makes them flap together like a horse. This creates a natural pressure that will help his pee/poop flow (and it’s fun)
If he has a favorite place to hide to poop - put a potty chair there (bonus points if you put a box around it to make it look like a man cave)
Let him pour a cup of water into his potty, then explain to him in simple terms why he pees
Get some toilet paper damp and ball it up to look like poop. Let him drop it into his potty. Same thing - talk about it!
Cut shapes out of toilet paper, drop them into the potty and use them for target practice
Drip some food coloring into the potty. Your child will be fascinated at how ‘he’ can change the color of the water
Provide reinforcement immediately after your child makes it to the potty (even if it’s just a drop or two).
Tip #2: Ensuring immediacy helps him to make the connection between his performance of the behavior and getting a positive reward. Suggested rewards:
Enjoy a fun activity
Give a high five
Offer praise
Share a hug or pat on the back
Give a thumbs-up
Clap and cheer
Tell another adult how proud you are of your child’s behavior while he is listening
You're ready, but is he? Here is how to tell when your little man is ready to potty train and tackle the toilet.
Tip #1: Wait until you see these surefire signals:
Tugging on a wet or dirty diaper
Hiding to pee or poop
Broadcasting bodily functions openly (telling you that he’s about to go, or has just gone in his diaper)
Having a dry diaper for a longer-than-usual time
Showing interest in the potty, or watching others use the toilet