Toilet Training

Supplies Needed:  

Underwear

3 sizes of treats

Chart: optional

Timer

Pre Training:

Start having the child sit on the toilet at natural toileting times.  Examples may be in the morning before getting dressed and at night before changing into pajamas.  Do this for as long as needed.  This should be a positive experience.

Phase #1:  15 min

Wake up, sit on the potty and put on underwear.  If the child sits without complaining, he/she receives a small treat.

Set a timer for 15 min.  

When the timer goes off, have the child check his/her own pants to see if they are dry.  If they are dry, give him/her a small treat and verbally reinforce.  Set the timer for 15 min.

When the timer goes off, have the child sit on the toilet.  

Continue this schedule until the child is dry for 2 days in a row!  Reset the timer and repeat this schedule until bedtime.

Summary:

Wake up: sit on potty, set timer

First timer: check only, no need to sit unless he/she wants to

Timer: sit on potty

Timer: check for dry

Timer: sit on potty

*Repeat until bedtime.

At this point, it's normal to wear a diaper to bed.  It is also normal for the child to go “hold” all day and then go as soon as the diaper is on.  Just stay positive.  Remind him/her they get a treat if they use the toilet.  And if appropriate, require the child to help clean themselves up (take diapers to trash, wash their hands, etc.)  Finding something for him/her to do to make it more desirable to use the toilet is the idea.  

Phase #2: 30 min

Wake up, sit on the potty and put on underwear.  If the child sits without complaining, he/she receives a small treat.

Set a timer for 30 min.  

When the timer goes off, have the child check his/her own pants to see if they are dry.  If they are dry, give him/her a small treat and verbally reinforce.  Set the timer for 30 min.

When the timer goes off, have the child sit on the toilet.  Next timer, just check for dry pants.   Repeat until bedtime.  

Continue this schedule until the child is dry for 2 days in a row! Reset the timer and repeat this schedule until bedtime.

Phase #3: 45 min

Wake up, sit on the potty and put on underwear.  If the child sits without complaining, he/she receives a small treat.

Set a timer for 45 min.  

When the timer goes off, have the child check his/her own pants to see if they are dry.  If they are dry, give him/her a small treat and verbally reinforce.  Set the timer for 45 min.

When the timer goes off, have the child sit on the toilet.  Reset the timer and repeat this schedule until bedtime.

Continue this schedule until the child is dry for 2 days in a row!

Phase #4: 60 min

Wake up, sit on the potty and put on underwear.  If the child sits without complaining, he/she receives a small treat.

Set a timer for 60 min.  

When the timer goes off, have the child check his/her own pants to see if they are dry.  If they are dry, give him/her a small treat and verbally reinforce.  Set the timer for 60 min.

When the timer goes off, have the child sit on the toilet.  Reset the timer and repeat this schedule until bedtime.

Continue this schedule until the child is dry for 2 days in a row!

Keep increasing the time until your child is on a natural toileting schedule for your family life.

Tips and Tricks:

• Use the different size treats for different levels of progression.  For example, small treats are for being dry and sitting on the toilet without complaining.  Medium size treats are for having a success in the toilet when the timer goes off and its time to sit.  Big treats are for telling someone he/she needs to use the toilet, popping in the potty, or whatever you think is “a big deal”.
• Remember to choose treats the child only gets for toilet training.  Keep them hidden or out of reach.  Also tell other family members to not use these treats for anything except toilet training.  
• Some kids (ones that can read) do really well when using “day of the week” underwear.  Knowing they only have 1 pair of “Monday” underwear motivates them to keep it clean all day.
• Pairing privileges with being potty trained might also motive kids on an intrinsic level.  For example, kids that want to have a sleepover at grandmas need to be potty trained, or to be able to attend a special camp or go on a special outing where a bathroom is too far away.  
• This program can be intense for the first few weeks.  Don’t hesitate to ask for support from family and neighbors.  Just don’t quit!  Even if it seems like your child isn’t getting it.