Potty Training TIPS FOR the Preschool TEACHER Welcome To... Potty Training TIPS FOR the Preschool TEACHER A Training for TCAP Head Start Staff By Lisa C Garvin, School Psychologist NOT HERE TODAY TO LEARN HOW TO POTTY TRAIN SURE YOU HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE WITH THAT THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE DO WANT YOU TO THINK OF SOME SPECIFIC PROBLEMS YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED OR ARE ENCOUNTERING AND I HOPE AT THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION WE CAN BRAINSTORM SOME HELPFUL SOLUTIONS FOR YOU ALL

Goals… To Review Readiness/Development To Discuss Common Problems and Possible Solutions To Provide Tips for Parents WANTED TO FOCUS ON THE IMPROTANCE OF READINESS AND DEVELOPMENT EACH CHILD IS SO DIFFERENT AND IT IS IMPROTANT TO RECOGNIZE READINESS SIGNS AND TO NOT MAKE THEM ATTEMPT POTTY TRAINING IF THEY HAVE NO DEVELOPMENTAL INDICATORS DISCUSSION OF A FEW PROBLEMS THAT OCCUR FREQUENTLY WHEN PT---LOOKING @ WHY THEYMAY ACT LIKE THEY DO AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS LASTLY, SOME TIPS YOU CAN PROVIDE TO PARENTS-----THE WHOLE PROCESS CAN RANGE FROM EASY TO COMPLETELY FRUSTRATING JUST TRY TO ALWAYS KEEP IT POSITIVE FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE PARENTS

Some Initial Thoughts…. If a child enters preschool and is not trained, keep a log/diary for a few days to look for patterns. Consult with the family and decide which words to use. Routine is important. Using a timer or clock may be helpful.

Some Initial Thoughts…. Every child is an individual. What works for one may not work for another! Must consider the developmental level of each child and plan toilet training techniques accordingly.

Areas of Readiness Motor Cognitive Language Toileting Skills

Areas of Readiness Motor Able to squat without losing his/her balance Able to dress/undress his/her self with limited help GROSS AND FINE MOTOR SKILLS ARE NEEDED

Areas of Readiness Cognitive Demonstrates imitative behaviors Plays make believe Able to sit down or play quietly for about 5 minutes NEED TO IMITATE---MODEL WHAT THEY SEE

Areas of Readiness Language Able to understand simple requests Able to show his/her needs using words, signs or gestures Can name urine and bowel movements LIKE---WHERE IS MOMMY? WHAT…. WHO…. ABLE TO TELL/IDENTIFY WHEN THEY ARE WET OR SOILED

Areas of Readiness Toileting Skills Able to stay dry for at least an hour or two Awareness of what the toilet is for Aware of being wet or soiled with consistent bowel movements Not currently experiencing a stressful situation BM SHOULD BE SOLID AND WELL FORMED What are some stressful situations? Birth of new sibling, change of home, death of loved one, separation of parents…

Common Problems & Solutions Resistance Refusal Won’t have a BM on the potty Was trained but has regressed

Resistance Some Reasons Why Children Resist Too many reminders Too many lectures Forced to sit on the toilet against their will Punishment

Resistance Investigate… Confusion Anxiety/Fear Control – Independence Issues Too much pressure Physical Pain Confusion- About the process or expectations---need to be consistent and create reasonable expectations Anxiety- About what—the toilet itself or elimination Control---May not want to satisfy your wishes---wants independence Pressure- Make sure you look at each individually- consider THEIR developmental level and learning style— Are they distractible? Are they shy? Are they very sociable?

Refusal to Use the Toilet Why? Possible Reason… It is big…cold Makes loud noises Things disappear in it never to be seen again FEAR…

Refusal to Use the Toilet How to Help? Need to increase their comfort level. Reassure them that is what is supposed to happen. Example…take their diaper and empty it in the toilet…let them watch and flush…

Says, “NO!” Why? Possible Reason… May be discovering that “NO” is a way to exert power. Control and independence issues

Says, “NO!” How to help? Talk to the Parents… Resist Reminding Don’t Hover Be Calm About Accidents Reward Good Behavior Find out their thoughts…Any bad experiences? Their use of punishment? Painful bowel movements? Who works with them at home? Don’t make frequent repetitions of “do you need to use the potty?” Be careful not to enforce potty sitting….(‘lets wait a little longer and see if anything comes out”) It is not easy to keep calm/serene when they make a mess…overreacting can make them fearful or stir up anxiety about the whole process…. Celebrate the big occasions not every potty trip If you check them and they are dry…praise them.

Won’t Have a BM on the Potty Very common problem Fearful of making a mess Observe and Log Use a pull up/diaper Watch for constipation Talk about body functions IMPORTANT TO OBSERVE AND ATTEMPT TO FIND A CONSISTENT PATTERN---CAN USE A PULL UP IF NEED BE CONSTIPATION CAN BE A VICIOUS CYCLE---IF THEY GET CONSTIPATED THEY WILL HOLD IT AND THE DISCOMFORT WILL INTENSIFY----MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PARENTS ABOUT BASIC DIET (whole grain bread, veggies, cereal) help to keep them regular—not too many dairy products MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND IT IS NORMAL AND NATURAL (EVERYONE POOPS)

Was Trained…Has Regressed Even small changes Be careful not to push Find ways to reinforce his/her independence Small changes in their routines can throw them off and make them want to go back to what was “familiar” Be careful if they are really reluctant…it is ok to take a break for a short time and then return to training…can use the time to talk about it/read books and observe others

More Suggestions Establish a reward or incentive for using the potty. Have the child involved with changing themselves May need visual references along with verbal directions for the step by step process Establish a specific routine for children that have many accidents Lots of praise and attention…stickers, rewards

Some Specific Incentives Inexpensive trinkets wrapped like presents Stickers/Stamps Tickets to redeem for rewards Printable coloring pages Activities Legos

Helpful Strategies for Parents If they are having trouble… Books and videos Siblings Monitor fluid intake Use easy to remove clothing Share what works at school Reminders to remain calm and positive Books---have attached some good books---could make their own book if they want with pictures of the process Siblings- If they have same sex siblings- let them model the process

More Advice for Parents Expect accidents Do not blame or threaten the child Explain expectations (“Next time ask for help”) Do not insist the child stay on the toilet more than a few minutes Create a routine with the parent

Books/Resources Your New Potty by Joanne Cole Oh Oh! Gotta Go! By Bob Mc Grath The Princess and the Potty by Wendy Cheyette Lewison When You’ve Got to Go! by Mitchell Kriegman The Potty Book for Boys/Girls by Alyssa Satin Capucill Potty Time by Guido van Genechten All By Myself by Anna Grossnickle Hines Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi A Potty for Me!: A Lift-the-Flap Instruction Manual by Karen Katz

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