toilet training readiness

Most children can be made ready for toilet training by 24 months of age.  By the age of three years, most children will have trained themselves.  The following signs indicate your child's readiness:

-  Your child understands what "pee", "poop", "potty", "dry", "wet", "clean" and "messy" mean.

-  Your child understands what the potty is used for.  Let him observe parents, older siblings.

-  Your child prefers dry, clean diapers.

-  Your child likes to be changed.  Praise him/her for coming to you when wet or dirty.

-  Your child understands the connection between dry pants and using the potty.

-  Your child can recognize a full bladder or the urge to have a bowel movement.  This is evident when the child jumps up and down, holds his genitals, paces or squats down.

-   Your child has the ability to briefly postpone urinating or having a bowel movement.  She may go off by herself and come back wet or soiled, or she may wake up from naps dry.