Toilet Training Tactics

Once you feel that your pupil is willing and ready, start putting her on the potty at opportune times -- when you sense from her cues, such as fidgeting, squatting, or clutching at her pants, that she needs to go. Other good times include when she wakes from a nap with a dry diaper, and after she's finished eating a meal.

Don't put your child into training pants right away -- there will be a lot of mistakes before she's ready to make that leap! Show her how to pull down her diaper instead; there are "pull-up" versions designed specifically for this intermediate stage. When your child manages to use the potty successfully about half the time, she's ready for daytime training pants. Make the event as celebratory as possible. Take your youngster shopping, for example, and allow her to pick out her own.

Keep the training process lighthearted. Give plenty of praise and encouragement, and never force your child to stay on the potty seat. End each potty visit after about five minutes, even if your child would be content to stay there longer.

Make an effort never to scold your child for not going or for messing his pants. After a mishap, change him quickly. Use nonjudgmental words, such as accident or mistake, and say something like "I know you wanted to go pee-pee in the potty. It takes time to learn. You'll get a lot better at this soon. Just wait and see!"