TOILET LEARNING
Kathy Adams, Early Childhood Educator

Children do not get up one day and decide it is suddenly time to start using the toilet instead of their diaper. What can you do to help your child get ready for this developmental step? Children need to have an awareness of their bodies to begin the process of learning to use a toilet.  They need to have some self-help skills.   There are many things you do to help your child with body awareness and independent skills. 

Some Examples of Things You Can Do Are:

• Sing songs using the names of body parts.  An example would be: 

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
And eyes, and ears, and mouth, and nose
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees, and toes

• Provide dolls for your child to play with that have realistic body parts.  Talk about the body parts and use the correct words when describing them.
• Dress your child in clothing that encourages independence.  Clothing should be easy for the child to put on and take off without adult assistance.  Shirts that snap under the crotch and overalls are difficult for children to use.
• Allow your child to dress him or herself as often as possible.  Zipping coats is a great practice for young children.  Check the zippers to be certain they zip easily.
  
  
  
• Read books with your child about using the toilet or body awareness  Examples would be:
  
  "Once Upon a Potty", by Alona Frankel
  "Going to the Potty", by Fred Rogers
  "No More Diapers", by Joae Graham Brooks
  "From Head to Toe", by Eric Carle
  
  Additional Resources: 
  
  Toilet Learning for Twos
  www.zerotothree.org search toilet learning
  www.mnparentsknow.info search age 1-2 topic Toilet Training