Potty training a child. This puts a lot of pressure on some people - even causing them to put it off until their children are 4 or 5 years old - then they learn that it's a requirement that they are potty trained in order to attend school. Training your child to elevate themselves from diapers to underware isn't that hard. You just need patience and some creative ideas. Here you will find some ideas used to potty train kids that may be helpful to you. Do note that if your child is in daycare - you will need to talk to the teachers there to make sure you are all consistant in the training. Same reward system, same praise, same consistency. If you are training them one way at home and the day care center is doing it another way (or not at all) - it will be more difficult and will most likely take longer. Read over our tips and practice some with your child. You may find that some peoples tips might differ in opinion, but just try what will work for you. What didn't work for them might work for you and vice versa.

• When wanting to start potty training your child, keep the potty chair out the room that your child is in the most. Give the chance to get familiar with it. Let them sit on it with their clothes on. When they sit on the chair, praise them and make them feel special (ex:You are such a big girl - look at you!). They love getting praised and they'll do it again and again. Get them used to the chair - this way they won't be scared when it's time to use it.
  
  
• If you start noticing signs that they have to go - speak up. Ask them if they have to go potty (or whatever terminology you wan to use). Don't ever make it seem like it's a bad thing to go to the bathroom. They will be scared to let you know if they think it's bad.
  
  
• Have the potty chair in the bathroom when you go so they can sit down on theirs while you do the same thing. They love to imitate grown ups. And don't be fooled by the myth that little boys have to have a male influence to be potty trained. Ask the many single moms who have done it themselves and it worked out fine. Though a little boy might learn faster by watching a guy - it's not the only way.
  
  
• Have a reward system as you begin potty training your child. There are many different types and each individual can probably think of their own, but one that works is a sticker chart. As the process begins, you may get them to sit on the potty chair, but they won't go. You should still reward them for that step. Praise them and tell them they get a sticker on their chart for sitting on the potty. Let them put the sticker on if they can. After a while they'll catch on and they'll start getting excited to get stickers. As they begin actually going in the potty, reward them for each separate type of 'movement'. For example, one sticker to go pee and two sticker when they go poop. Make the chart bright and fun and use fun stickers. You can even hang it in the bathroom so they remember what happens when they go.
  
  
• A great way to train little boys to stand and use the potty is to put Cheerios in the toilet and have them 'aim'. They love this.
  
  
  
• If you are able to, let your kids run around naked when you are trying to potty train them. You will find that they are more aware of what's going on and they'll recognize the sensation of having to go potty. Keep an eye out and spot their actions before they have to go, that way if you see them slow down and just stand still for a couple minutes in the middle of running around - ask them if they have to go potty and take them.
  

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