Clinical Support / Health Visitors - Readiness for toilet training, parenting is stressful, start using a potty, guidance for parents, parenting infants and small children

We all know that many aspects of parenting are stressful. We know this because the parents we work with keep telling us so. Children’s sleeping, eating and behaviour can all prove too stressful for parents. However, toilet training is also a big culprit in raising the stress and anxiety in parents and every Health Visitor knows that if toilet training is pushed before the toddler is ready, it can have detrimental effects on the child and the parent!

While there's no magic age at which a child is ready to start using the potty, most toddlers will develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills between 18 and 24 months of age (though some aren't ready to start until they're as old as four).
The check list below can be printed off your computer and handed out to parents at baby clinics. This check list can provide parents with guidance on their toddler’s progress towards readiness to toilet train.

15 Signs of toilet training readiness

Your child is ready to learn potty skills when he or she;

1. Has bowel movements at about the same time every day

2. Can stay dry for a few hours or wakes up dry from sleep

3. Knows that he/she has to go to the bathroom

4. Understands the association between dry pants and using the potty

5. Can pull her pants up and down

6. Lets you know when he/she has soiled his/her diaper (likes to stay dry)

7. Can follow simple directions like, "lets go to the potty"

8. Understands potty terms (wet, dry, pee, poop, dirty and potty)

9. Can tell you he/she has to go to the bathroom

10. Imitates other family members

11. Shows interest and asks question while watching you

12. Wants to do things "by myself"

13. Enjoys washing his/her hands (like to be clean)

14. Gets upset if his/her belongings are not in their proper place

15. Wants to please you!

Information and Resources For Health Visitors and Healthcare Professionals