1. P OTTY T RAINING Planning/Tips and Goals

2. R EAL T OILET AND REAL LANGUAGE Toilet - It is very important to use a real toilet when potty training if at all possible. Try not to use one of these cute toddler potties, It is confusing – not the same potty as home or school Unrecognizable - when you are out of your home your child may not feel comfortable using a toilet if they have not used it before. Language -It is always important to use real language when potty training your child. This will help them understand how their body works as well as help them to learn the parts of their body. (If your toilet is to tall you can try one of these methods.)

3. S ELF D ETERMINATION S KILLS ( SELF SKILLS ) Pants - An important part of potty training for a child is being able to help themselves. Encouraging your child to pull their pants up and down by themselves will help them become more independent. Cleaning - It is a good idea to show your child how to clean themselves, however, you should go behind them and clean them until they are able to master this skill. Talking - Encourage your child to tell you when he or she has to use the bathroom. This will help them to recognize that they have to go, as well as assist with their language skills.

4. F OUR WEEK P LAN Week 1 -When at home Child should sit on the potty every hour for 3-5 minutes, (if boy tell him to push his penis down so he does not pee-pee on the floor)) (Dads show your son’s) let them wear the pull-ups but encourage them to pull up and down their pants, they will need help with the buttons until they are able to manipulate them. If available, sweatpants would be ideal because they can easily pull them up and down on their own. Encourage your child to tell you when they have to go to the bathroom (this will also help with their language) Week 2-When at home Continue to sit Child on the potty every hour or two for 3-5 minutes but take off the pull-up and put on underwear for 1-2 hours and continue to encourage them to use their words to tell you when they have to go to the bathroom. Week 3- When at home Continue to sit child on the potty every two or three hours for 3-5 minutes, but take off the pull-up and put on underwear for 4-5 hours and continue to encourage them to use their words to tell you when they have to go to the bathroom. Week 4- After completing these two tasks at home: 1. 8-10 times using the potty on his own 2. Staying dry for more than 5 hrs a day. Talk to your child’s teacher and send in several pairs of underpants, pants and socks and they will continue to potty train him at school.

5. C ONS Time- It takes a lot of time and patience to potty train Your child. You must take time out to take your child to the bathroom and take more time to sit with them and wait. Mess- You will have to clean up lots of messes when your child has accidents Laundry- There will be lots more laundry to do!

6. P ROS Save $$$$- Diapers and pull-ups are expensive almost 10.00$ a pack One on One Time- Sitting with your child in the bathroom can be a could time to sit and talk to your child. Ask about their day, or it is also a good time to read to your child

7. S IGNS AND R EWARDS Signs Signs can be a great resource - post some reminder pictures in the bathroom to help your child remember the proper steps. Rewards Stickers are a nice reward for using the bathroom If you use candy you do not need to over indulge: example: If your child goes pee-pee or #1 in the potty give them 1 m&m. If your child goes poop in the potty or #2 give them 2 m&m’s

8. L ITERACY AND P OTTY T RAINING Reading to your child while he/she sits on the potty is a great time to interact with your child. In addition to helping your child relax and feel comfortable enough to go to the bathroom, you are also helping your child learn to read, as well as adding new language to their vocabulary. I recommend reading potty books while on the potty to help encourage potty training.

9. E ND R ESULT Your child can use the bathroom all by themselves!