Toilet Learning: A Child-Led Journey

Toilet training, or as we prefer to call it, toilet learning, is a significant milestone in a child’s development. Unfortunately, there is a massive stigma surrounding this process. Many people believe that by a certain date or a specific age, children must be toilet trained. However, the reality is that toilet learning is a milestone that children reach at their own developmental pace.

Toilet Learning: A Developmental Practice

At Back To The Garden Childcare, we like to think of toilet learning as a developmental practice rather than ‘training.’ It’s a child-led process guided by parents, carers, professionals, peers, and the children themselves. The term ‘toilet learning’ better reflects the nature of this journey, emphasising that children are not puppies to be trained, but individuals to be supported and nurtured.

A Natural Developmental Process

Toilet learning should be approached in the same way we support children to develop other skills, such as holding a spoon or brushing their teeth. Most children are ready to master toilet independence and lead in many parts of the process from around 18 months old. However, this varies from child to child, and it’s important not to compare, just as with other developmental milestones.

Health Benefits and Readiness

Research shows that it is better for your child’s bladder and bowel health to stop using nappies between 18 and 30 months. Signs that your child may be ready to start toilet learning include:

Communicating that they have used the toilet
Showing discomfort with a wet nappy
Talking about the toilet and what happens there
Demonstrating toilet awareness and independence

Gradual and Patient Introduction

The length and experience of toilet learning differ for every child. There is no ‘set ready date’ for this milestone, and it requires a gradual and patient approach through discussion, modelling, and story-based learning. Here are some tips to naturally and gradually introduce toilet learning into your daily routines:

Encourage Regular Toilet or Potty Use: The more exposure a child has to the toilet or potty, the easier the process becomes, reducing any fear around using the toilet.
Observe for Readiness Signs: Pay attention to signs such as your child explaining they have been to the toilet, showing discomfort with a wet nappy, or expressing curiosity about the toilet.

A few key things to remember:

The more practice and help your child gets, the easier it will be when you decide to stop using nappies.
You don’t need to wait until your child is ‘ready’ and able to do everything on their own to begin toilet learning.
There’s no need to wait until your child decides or even tells you they no longer want to wear nappies.

Recommended Resources

Introducing toilet learning gradually and with patience is key. Here are some books (aimed at children) and further resources to assist you in this journey:

Books:

Feel free to explore these materials and share them with your child to make toilet learning a smooth and enjoyable process. By embracing toilet learning as a natural developmental milestone and supporting children in a patient and understanding manner, we can help them achieve independence with confidence.

Check out our Reel here!

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