• Ditch the diapers by using an assortment of potty training tips.babywindeln image by Daniel Fuhr from Fotolia.com
  
  Potty training is one of the most important stages in a child's development, a major transition from the complete dependence of a baby to the increased independence of a toddler. Every child is different; some are ready for training early and others are late bloomers. Likewise, some take to training quickly while others require more patience. Whatever the circumstances, keep plenty of tips in mind to make potty training a smoother experience for both parent and child.
  
  

Rewards

• Small collectible rewards such as change for the piggy bank may help motivate small children into using the potty.piggy bank image by pershing from Fotolia.com
  
  Rewards can serve as a very helpful tool in potty training babies. Try using small rewards such as candy or change, depending on the baby's age. Offer small amounts of the reward--such as one or two pieces--for successfully going number one; up the amount of the reward for big achievements, such as going number two or wiping. Many toddlers love collecting things. Try buying a full set of small toys, such as cars or dolls, and rewarding your child with one part of the set for each successful potty experience. Stickers come in handy as well. Letting a small child display a sticker for a successful potty gives them a sense of pride and allows them to publicly show off their achievement. This method works well among groups, as the children might see the stickers and use the potty themselves to reap their own rewards. Remember, rewards don't have to be complex or expensive. Many babies may get a kick out of something as simple as being allowed to flush the toilet on their own.
  
  

Positive Reinforcement

• The importance of positive reinforcement in potty training can't be stressed enough. Praise your child for each successful potty and avoid scolding him for accidents. It's okay to make a big deal out of a small achievement. Brag about your young one's achievement to others. Try coming up with a special potty song that the two of you sing together whenever it's time to go, creating a positive association with potty time.
  
  

Games

• Simple games can help make potty time an entertaining experience for babies. For boys, try floating pieces of cereal in the training potty to make a simple game of target practice. Use food coloring to dye the toilet bowl water blue or red; when a child urinates, the water changes colors like "magic." Numerous manufacturers offer special potty training toilets that help turn training into a game--some even play musical ditties as a reward for a successful potty time.
  
  

Other Tips

• Try taking trips to the potty at intervals, such as every 15, 20 or 30 minutes. Use a watch or an upbeat cell phone alarm to mark routine potty time. Some parents may choose to go cold turkey, forgoing training potties and heading right for the big toilet. In this method, parents also forgo training pants, transitioning right from diapers to "big kid" underwear. If you take this route, simply let your baby or toddler wet the undies until realizing that the only way to avoid doing so is to use the potty. To help this process along, consider using underwear adorned with characters your child enjoys--make a game out of keeping the characters dry. For any sort of potty training, keep your young one in loose pants for easy removal--dresses work well for girls in potty training. Perhaps most importantly, be patient; every child learns and grows at her own pace.