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Potty training made simple How to potty train successfully
Download our Kandoo Storybook of how Diddit became potty trained, along with our simple Reward Chart to help you with your potty training!
Being well prepared for your' and your child's potty training adventure will set you and your toddler up for success.
Our downloadable colourful Kandoo storybook tells the story of how Diddit became potty trained. Share his story with your little one to help explain the process of how they can become successfully potty trained.
Our downloadable simple Reward Chart provides direction and encouragement to make potty training fun, helping your child to understand the 5 simple steps to potty training and a good toilet hygiene routine, developing a happy and independent child.
How to potty train
When you first start potty training, the majority of work is done by you – the parent. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as taking off that nappy and having your child tell you every time they need to go.
In fact, for the first several days (and maybe weeks), it may feel like you are the one that is undergoing potty training – trained to put your child on the toilet every 20 minutes!
But if you can stick to a good potty training routine, it will pay off in the end.
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Clear your diary
Part of the success of potty training is making sure you have time in the first few days of potty training to stick around the house and make using the potty a priority. It’s best if you can spend at least two or three days at home and not be distracted by errands, multiple caregivers or having to visit strange bathrooms. Some parents prefer to do this in the Summer months, when the weather is warmer and your child is wearing fewer clothes to spoil.
This will also give you the time you need to really evaluate if your child is ready for potty training, as well as practice your carpet cleaning skills!
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Be prepared
Prepare your child for this big adventure into independence, let them know that they are about to become potty trained. Ensure you have bought some 'big boy' or 'big girl' pants and introduce them to their potty. See our Kandoo Potty Training Storybook and Diddit's Reward Chart to explain the 5 simple steps, show them how they can fill it in and then receive their very own 'Potty Trained Certificate' as a reward for their success!
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Set a timer
Once you take off their nappy, set a timer and plan to take your child to the bathroom every 20 or 30 minutes.
One of the main causes of potty training accidents is because the child is having too much fun or is too engrossed in play to listen to their body and make it to the bathroom in time. At first, it is your job to interrupt their play to give them time to go potty. They probably won’t need to go every 20 minutes, but at least you’re giving them the time and space to sit on the potty for a few minutes to try.
NOTE: If your child is not able to stay dry during 10-minute intervals, chances are they just aren’t ready for potty training. Check our tips for when to start potty training and make sure your child is showing signs of readiness. If not, try again in a month or so.
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Incorporate potty training charts and rewards
Potty training charts and rewards are important parts of the potty training process, they reward successes and motivate both you and your child to keep at it – and can help your child get really excited about becoming potty trained.
See our digital download 'You Kandoo it too! Reward Chart'
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Stretch it out
Once you’re a few days in, you can stretch out the potty breaks. Maybe go from 30 minutes to an hour... and then from an hour to two hours. Until eventually you won’t need a timer at all. No, really. It will happen!
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Plan mini trips
No, we’re not talking about mini getaways. We’re talking about quick trips to the grocery store or to a friend’s house. Once you and your child are feeling good about your success, incorporate a few mini trips into your day.
Maybe you take a walk around the block in underwear in between potty breaks. Or take a 20-minute spin through the grocery store. At first, you will both be nervous about leaving the house, but keep the trips short and close to home and build up your confidence. You can do this!
Go back to the schedule
If you start to notice more accidents as you get further along in potty training, go back a stage. Chances are, the accidents are caused by a lack of regular opportunity to go to the toilet, keep it simple and keep putting them on the potty, don't mind about little mishaps, just reward successes!
Potty Training Charts
No matter what your potty training philosophy, implementing a potty training chart is an absolute must. Potty training charts are a great way to track progress and development, while instilling lifelong habits and good hygiene behaviour. Our printable 'You Kandoo it!' Reward Chart, offer encouragement and incentive to both the parent and the child. Diddit will help teach your child 5 simple steps - I sat, I went, I wiped, I flushed, I washed and I dried my hands!
Want to use our chart? It’s easy!
1. Download and print our 'You Kandoo it!' Reward Chart.
2. Write your child’s name on the top of the chart.
3. Tape the chart to your bathroom wall at your child’s level and have a pencil or crayon nearby.
4. Every time your child completes one of the 5 simple steps, have them colour in the corresponding star.
5. When they have completed all their stars and they are managing to stay dry, turn the chart over, fill in their 'Potty Trained Certificate' & Celebrate their success!! (you could have a 'Potty Trained Party' to celebrate!!).
6. If you still need to continue training for a bit longer - its no problem, simply print off another chart
Be sure to monitor your child’s progress every day and continually encourage them!
Toilet Training with Kandoo
When to Start
Potty Training Made Simple
Tips for Training
Potty Training at Night
