Making a potty training chart for your child

Potty training can be a real burden for both child and parent. Fortunately, there are tips to help make the potty training period much more pleasant for your child.

What is a potty training chart?

The potty Montessori potty training chart will help your childlearn to use the toilet on a regular basis. All you have to do is hang it up, and when he goes to the toilet, he'll stick on a label corresponding to the needs he's made.

Is it a good idea to use a potty training chart?

Potty training charts are easy to make and set up. It helps children develop their independence. In particular, it's based ontoilet training using a timetable. In other words, toilet breaks are based on the child's daily routine rather than on a timer.

Children will be encouraged and taught to go to the toilet when they wake up, before or after meals and naps, and between activities throughout the day. The aim is to enable the child to recognize the signals sent by his body.

If requested, the child should be taken to the toilet, regardless of the learning method used or the time of day.

When should I start using the potty training chart?

The potty training chart is a great tool for potty training your child. But before you start using it, you need to make sure that your child is really ready to be potty-trained. But how can you be sure? There are a number of signs you can look out for, such as :

• If your child shows an interest in the toilet, asks to go or wants to go with you;
• If he asks for a clean diaper when his is dirty;
• If he is able to hold his bladder for long enough (you can see this if, when you change him, his diaper is always dry, then quickly becomes full);
• If he can pull his pants up and down by himself;
• It's estimated that the majority of children are ready for potty training between 18 and 24 months. However, other children may not be able to potty train until they're 3 years old, as each child develops at his or her own pace.

How do I use the potty training chart with my child?

Before you can start using the potty training chart with your child, you need to create an environment that is conducive to potty training. Once the environment is well prepared, you can start changing your child standing up. The advantage of stand-up diapers is that they enable your child to become more independent and autonomous , and to help you with the diaper change (e.g. by pulling down his pants, etc.).

Accompanying your child during the first few days of use

In the early days, it's best to take frequent breaks. Even if all the signs indicate that your child is ready to give up the diaper, there may still be some resistance. If this resistance is too great, you can try again in a few weeks or months. Accidents can also happen at first, but they're not serious and you should continue to encourage your child, without punishing him or her. The aim is not to make potty training an unpleasant experience for your child, but to support him and keep him calm as he learns.

What's more, in the early days of potty training, praise and rewards shouldn't be given only when your child successfully goes potty, but rather when he or she successfully sits on the potty.

Giving your child more autonomy

While it's important to accompany your child when he or she first starts using the potty training table, the aim is for him or her to gradually become more independent.

Make sure your environment is well equipped to enable your child to learn properly. To help him become more independent, you can place a basket with potty training books or toys to pass the time while he's on the potty.

It's important to recognize your child's progress to keephim going!

Use the board outside the house if necessary

If you're planning to go out, you can start with short outings (even better if you know of any toilets on the way). Bear in mind that your child may not be comfortable with the idea of relieving himself in an unfamiliar public toilet.

You may want to pack the following items in your changing bag:

• A change of clothes ;
• Wipes;
• Diapers;
• And sometimes even a change of shoes.

Keep in mind the potty-training chart that your child can fill in to keep track of his or her learning.

How to make a potty training chart yourself?

If you'd like to set up a potty training chart, you can find printable templates on the Internet, or use a blank sheet of paper to create a chart representing the days of the week.

Each time your child needs to go, simply stick on a corresponding sticker or draw with him/her.

You'll also love :

• Making a potty-training chart for your child
• The best books for potty training your child
• How to potty train at night
• How to potty train with Montessori?