This is a sponsored guest post.
Toilet training can be daunting. Diapers are expensive. Toddlers are confusing.
When starting toilet training, there is some debate whether or not to use rewards for successfully going in the potty. As a professional with nearly 20 years experience toilet training AND a Mom of 2 boys, I’m going to tell you why I recommend rewards.
Some parents are reluctant to use rewards because they don’t want their child to expect things in return. Say what?!?! If I go to work, I expect to get paid. I don’t think there is anything wrong with teaching children that appropriate behavior such as toilet training gets good things in return.
Some parents are concerned that young children won’t understand the reward is for specifically going on the potty. Newborns figure out very quickly that if they cry, they will get what they need. Some parents can even distinguish types of cries… such as a specific pitch of cry means they are hungry. If a newborn can figure out how to cry to get something, a toddler can certainly figure out that good things happen when they stay dry and go on the potty. With saying that, it is very important to only use rewards for toilet training. For example, if they get fruit snacks for going on the potty, fruit snacks shouldn’t be offered during a meal.
The bottom line is that research supports the use of rewards for toilet training. Potty training is a big deal for you and your child, and using a reward system is a great way to promote potty training success. Every child is different and I typically recommend an immediate but small reward for young children who are just getting started. A sticker chart may not be helpful at the start because the stickers themselves may not be valuable and immediate enough. If the child has to earn 5 stickers to get something, the wait of the reward may dilute the value.
Rewards for toilet training can be small snacks, small toys such as match box cars or accessories for a doll, time to play a game on a tablet, etc. Get creative and find what will work for your child.
Keys to Toileting Success can help no matter where you are in the toilet training process. One of our consultants will meet with you privately via an online meeting to discuss strategies for your child’s path to success. Every child is unique and we will help you to find the key to getting rid of diapers.
