1. 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

2. 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 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Areas of Readiness
Motor
Cognitive
Language
Toileting Skills

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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…

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

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

12. 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?

13. 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…

14. 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…

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

16. 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.

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?