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Like most everything related to parenting, when it comes to potty learning (or training) there is not a one size fits all approach. Just as every child is different, every family is different and what works best for one will not work for another. However, since potty learning is a hot topic in our house these days, I thought I would share what we have found to work best for us.
When it comes to potty learning and my kids, I approach it similarly to the way I approach weaning from the breast. I trust that when the time is right and the child is ready, it will happen. I know this is not a method that would work for every child or every family, but so far its been working for us.
My oldest Ava was completely out of diapers (including at night) somewhere between ages 2 1/2 and 3. Julian became interested in using the potty earlier than Ava, but the transition to using the potty full time has been much more gradual. He's currently 3 years and 2 months and mostly potty learned during the day, but not for the occasional nap or at night.
While I say, "it (potty learning) will happen," that's not to say I (and my husband) don't do things to encourage the kids. The process is not left entirely up to them, but I do let them take the lead and guide how fast or slow the transition takes.
Here are some of the techniques I used with my kids to facilitate potty learning
Naked "Training"
One of the first things I like to do that helps them get more familiar with their body and elimination sensations is allow them to be naked from the waist down while at home. If it's particularly cold, I'd suggest the kiddo wear BabyLegs or something similar on his/her legs, though my kids don't seem to mind the cold at all.
Another benefit of being pant-less is that they can run to the potty and use it without having to worry about getting clothes out of the way first.
Since I'm at home with my kids this technique has worked well for us. Obviously though, isn't for everyone.
Amber from Strocel uses the naked time technique as well. "During toilet training I ... allow lots, and lots, and lots of naked time. Because it’s much more obvious to both you and the kid that they’re peeing when they aren’t in a diaper."
Annie from PhD in Parenting said, "Being naked helped him (her son) to feel what was going on, it felt different from having a diaper on, it saved on laundry significantly, and it also made it quicker when he did rush off to the potty because there were no snaps and zippers and things to deal with."
Keep a potty (or two or three) nearby
I try to keep a potty in the room wherever the child is playing. In our house that's usually in the living room. I think having the potty where they can see it and have easy access to it helped my kids learn to use it. When they move off into another room and the potty isn't right there, that's usually when the accidents happen. (If you can invest in a few potties to scatter around the house, all the better.)
Once they have mastered using the potty in the living room, I would either move it into the bathroom or just encourage them to transition from the potty to using the actual toilet.
Praise, praise and more praise
My husband and I offer a lot of praise when our child uses the potty or toilet. In fact, in the beginning there's often a lot of cheering, clapping hands, silly dances, etc. to encourage the new behavior.
Read books about going potty
The book I loved for helping my kids learn more about their bodies and using the potty was "Once Upon A Potty" by Alona Frankel. There are two versions of the book - one for boys featuring Joshua and one for girls featuring Prudence. I have to confess, one of the reasons I loved this book so much was the way Ava would say "Pwudence." So cute.
There are many books available on this subject.
Patience
If my child didn't seem to be ready for using the potty, we'd take a break and come back to it another time.
I remember having a success or two with Ava and the
