Readiness

• Your child may be ready for training when he shows interest in what you are doing in the bathroom, stays dry during a nap, and seems uncomfortable in a wet or soiled diaper.
  
  

Introducing the Potty Chair

• Purchase a potty chair and place it in the bathroom near the toilet. Purchase training pants and explain their purpose to the child. Dress the child in clothing that she can remove independently.
  
  Use an encouraging attitude to explain the purpose of the potty chair to the child. Teach her the words you want her to use to indicate the need to eliminate. Be sure these words will not embarrass you in public.
  
  

How to Begin

• If the child's elimination schedule is predictable, sit him on the potty for a few minutes just before you expect him to go. Remain with him and talk or read a book to him to avoid boredom or restlessness.
  Give the child lots of praise when she eliminates in the potty. Let her help with emptying the potty chair into the toilet and flushing. Make hand washing a ritual after each successful effort.
  
  

Accidents

• Accidents may occur for several months. Treat accidents nonchalantly. Do not punish, reprimand or embarrass the child; instead, remain caring and encouraging.
  
  

Troubleshooting

• If the child has no successes within a week, wait a couple of months to continue training. The child's muscles may not yet be sufficient for training.
  
  Children wet the bed for several months after they gain control during the day. Consider placing a mattress protector under the child's sheet to make clean-up easier.