Positive Reinforcement in Potty Training

Few words can explain the frustration felt, when a child suffers a regression from potty training – you’ve come so far and worked so hard, only to see all of that effort fall to the wayside. While regressions can happen for any number of reasons, there are several common things that one must keep in mind. Patience, rewards, and positive reinforcement are the keys to getting your child back on track and back to using that potty chair.

When things seem to be going downhill, don’t despair. For whatever reason, your child simply isn’t ready yet and will resume potty training when the time is right. In the meantime, you can make the potty time a positive and fun time for your child, thus helping to speed the process along.

First things first, take a moment and think about your child’s potty training. What methods do you use, to get your child to sit on the potty chair? Making the potty seem like something negative or something that should be rushed is a bad idea and can only prolong the process. Instead, try making a game of it, or allow your child to look at special books or examine a special toy while they are on the potty, thus encouraging them to stay there longer. Rewarding your child for potty training helps to encourage them to spend more time there, “doing their duty,” and teaches by means of positive reinforcement.

For little boys, biodegradable targets, left to float in the toilet bowl or set in the bottom of the potty chair, encourage better aiming skills (you’ll be thankful for that later), as well as making potty time a fun game that they enjoy participating in. Another fun game is to sit down on the big person’s potty and look through magazines or books with your child, encouraging them to relax and tell you a story as the two of you look at pictures together. Books about potty training can also help, though be careful to avoid sounding condescending to your child or making them feel like you are asking, “the character in the story can do it – Why can’t you?”

When your child succeeds in using the potty, don’t be afraid to make a big deal out of it. It’s a big accomplishment and they have every right to know that you’re proud of them. Positive reinforcements and offering your child rewards will encourage them to keep on trying and will help to make potty training an easier, more enjoyable time for both you and your child.