• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

  • Parenting Resources
  • Teacher Resources
  • Kindergarten Teacher Resources
  • Behavior Charts
    • Toddler Behavior Chart
    • Preschool Behavior Chart
    • Behavior Charts with your Favorite Characters
    • Daily Behavior Chart
    • Weekly Behavior Chart
    • Monthly Behavior Chart
  • Chore Chart
    • Chore Chart Template
      • Chore Charts for Boys
      • Chore Charts for Girls
      • Magnetic Chore Chart
      • Coloring Chore Charts
      • Family Chore Charts
      • Chore Wheel
    • Age appropriate chores
    • Ten ways to get your kids to do chores
  • Potty Chart
    • Potty Training Tools
    • How to Potty Train
    • Potty Rewards
  • Sticker Chart
  • Potty Training
  • How to Potty Train
  • When to Start Potty Training
  • Potty Chart
  • Potty Training Rewards

When to start potty training

potty training readiness checklistIt is essential to determine when to start potty training since your child needs to be ready both physically and emotionally. Starting before your child has developed the necessary physical and cognitive skills will only prolong the process and frustrate both you and your child. Let your child set the pace and only start potty training when she is ready.

Each child is unique and should not be compared to others, but most children are both physically and emotionally ready to be potty trained from 18 – 24 months. Boys are usually ready a little later than girls.

Many parents only start potty training when their children are 2 1/2 to 3 years old, and some only start when their kids are 4. If you wait until your child is totally ready, then your child is often potty trained in a much shorter period of time than when she isn’t completely ready.

Potty Readiness Checklist

The signs of potty training readiness:

Your child seems interested in the potty, toilet, or in wearing underwear instead of diapers.

When children are ready, they often start showing interest in using the potty. If your child signals that she wants to be independent, then it is a good sign of readiness. If your child shows no interest in using the potty or becoming independent, then the process might be a little more complicated.

Your child can understand and follow basic instructions.

You will need to ask your child if she needs to go, remind her to go before you leave home, etc.

Your child can walk.

Your child will need to be able to walk to the potty and sometimes will probably even need to run.

Your child is capable of pulling his pants up and down.

When he needs to go, then, he needs to go! If he can’t pull his pants up by himself, then the chances are that he’ll wet his pants. To go in the potty, he is going to have to be able to pull his pants down pretty quickly. In the beginning, he will need some help, but if he is not physically ready to pull his pants down, he may not be prepared to start potty training.

Your child stays dry during a nap or for at least two hours during the day.

This shows that your child’s bladder muscles are sufficiently developed. If your child has not yet reached this stage, it is more difficult to potty train her since she will be running to the potty all day.

Your child signals when he needs to go.

Some kids inform you (such as by letting you know that they will be pooping in their diaper) and some show you (by squatting, going to sit somewhere quiet, etc.). No matter how they choose to signal, if your child is indicating then he is aware of his body’s functions. That’s a good sign that he’s ready for potty training.

Your child informs you when his diaper is wet or dirty.

This shows that it bothers him to have a wet or soiled diaper, which is a good sign of readiness.

If your child shows most of the signs of readiness, then you can start the potty process. If not, it might be better to wait a little longer.

Starting before your child is both emotionally and physically ready might cause both you and your child unnecessary frustration.

If your child is going to undergo a major change in her life (such as her parent’s divorce, moving house, etc.) then it might be better to wait until things settle down before starting potty training.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Charts

  • Reward Charts for Kids
  • Chore Chart
  • Behavior Charts
  • Behaviour Charts (British Version)
  • Printable Certificates
  • Feelings Chart
  • Potty Chart
  • Sticker Chart
  • Charts for Kids
  • Incentive Charts
  • Printable Certificates
  • Reward Charts by Character
  • Reward Charts for Multiple Kids
  • Sleep Problems
  • Star Charts
  • Sticker Charts
  • Routine Charts
  • Multiplication Chart Printable

Let’s Keep in Touch

facebook contact pinterest

Footer

Privacy Policy

About

Contact Us

DMCA.com Protection Status

Permission is granted to print any of our images in hard copy for personal or commercial use.

Any other use of our images – including distribution, reproduction, modification and/or public display – on the internet without giving credit to this website or without receiving prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

Terms of Service

© 2021
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Facebook Messenger
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok