Learning a toileting routine involves practice for children and adults. Focus on the next manageable step and the words you use when an accident happens.

Explain what will happen

Choose a relatively calm time and tell your child they will be practising with a potty or toilet. Learning takes patience.

THE POINT TO REMEMBER

Knowing what will happen can make a new routine less surprising.

Sources: NHS Best Start in Life · Potty training your child ↗

Keep accidents calm

Accidents are part of learning. Stay calm and help your child change, rather than making them feel in trouble.

THE POINT TO REMEMBER

A calm response supports practice without blame.

Sources: NHS Best Start in Life · Potty training your child ↗

Ask about painful poo

Do not ignore constipation during potty learning. Pain or holding back is a reason to seek advice.

THE POINT TO REMEMBER

Constipation can interfere with learning and needs appropriate help.

Sources: NHS Best Start in Life · Potty training your child ↗

Read it. Try it. Come back to why.

Original reflection: agree a calm clean-up phrase with other caregivers and decide where spare clothes will be kept. Practise the same supportive response together.

Practise all 3 questions →