QUESTION: At what age is it a
good time to start potty training my two-year-old son?
ANSWER: A recent study found that when
children are left to their own pacing, more than half toilet train
between 27 and 36 months. Most pediatricians do not push toilet training,
but advise parents to wait until the child is "ready." But what does
that mean?
Your son's interest in using the toilet and his awareness
of his internal body signals are often your first indications. Does
he imitate you and want to sit on the toilet (potty chair) or flush
it? That could be a beginning sign. Because the internal regulation
of the sphincter muscles involved in toilet training are highly complex,
your child should also show some sign that he is registering what
is happening inside his body, too.
Taking off a wet diaper by himself, stopping to grunt
or stoop down to pee or poop in his diaper show signs that he is aware
of what is happening inside his body, either right before or after
the act. His ability to use language to communicate his need to go
to the potty and his ability to walk or run to the toilet are also
essential precursors to a successful potty training experience.
But what about your readiness? Some children learn
to use the potty relatively quickly, while others take more time to
integrate a new skill. Pick a time that you are not overly stressed
and can give extra patience to your child, as inevitable misses will
occur! If you resort to melt downs during this trial and error period
of learning, you may negatively charge your child's experience. If
you are not consistent in your availability to help your son when
he needs your assistance going to the potty, you may set up a prolonged
and frustrating experience for the both of you.
Keep in mind that potty training should be an experience
of pride and accomplishment for your son. It is step toward independence
and confidence in his ability to be autonomous. Do not be shy to express
your own enthusiasm for his successes, which he will internalize.
