Helpful Tips for Toilet Time

These strategies will help you to encourage your kids to do this job on their own.

Figure out if your child is ready to learn.

Some children toilet train early, but take longer to master wiping. Some signs of readiness for independent wiping include:

• They show interest.
• They want to try it.
• They like to be clean.
• If you suggest it, they say “sure.”
• They want privacy in the bathroom.
• They know how to wash their hands – and why it’s important to do so.

Teach your child how to wipe. Then, teach it again.

Show the steps, and be very encouraging when your child follows them. This is important for younger children, as well as for older children, if you discover that they are not wiping well. And even once you teach it, your child may still need a little help mastering the process alone.

Check the work.

Once your child is semi-independent, you might offer to check to help your child to master the skill. However, checking doesn't mean that you do it. You might say, "Let's check to make sure that you're done." For older or more skilled kids, you might ask, "Can you check?" As children get more confident and comfortable, you can give them more privacy to do this on their own.

Praise your child for making an effort.

Even if your child is not fully successful, always offer praise for what was done well. For example, you might say, "That was a great try! Next time, try wiping yourself all the way clean."

Give your child other chances to be dirty.

If your child just likes to be dirty, provide a way to do this that does not involve the bathroom. So in the bathroom, you are in charge, but in the sandbox or the park, your child is in charge and is free to get dirty. This may help!

"Children learn new skills through practice and they practice through play.

So turn this into a game and make your child the expert. Ask her to pretend to be the parent and teach this new skill to a favorite stuffed animal or doll. Be prepared for this game to get a little silly. Everyone might giggle a little but it’s a great way to transform a potential struggle into a fun learning exercise."

Dr. Lawrence Cohen
Kandoo®’s Parenting Expert
Author, Playful Parenting