Potty Training – Timing Is Everything!
Potty training girls is neither fun nor easy, but it can be considerably easier if done at the proper time and stage of development.
The milestone of baby potty training begins by recognizing the skills and cognitive level your child has reached. Most pediatricians agree that children under the age of two have not developed to the point where they are ready to be toilet trained. Even if you see that your child has reached the state where he or she is aware when urination and defecation takes place, this does not mean that they are ready to be trained. Potty training is not a sort of trick that you can teach your child, in the same fashion as you might train an animal. Nor, is it an act that can be achieved solely by relying on reasoning, cajoling, or bribery. These mechanisms do have their place, but not until your child possesses both the necessary motor skills and communication level to use the toilet or potty consistently, as well as independently.
There are certain signs of development that parents can look for to recognize whether their child is ready to begin serious toilet training. As compared with two year olds, three year olds speak in 4-5 word sentences, rather than two word phrases. Two year old can follow simple, one-step commands, while three year olds have the ability to follow more complicated 2-3 step instructions. The obvious differences in maturity levels between the two age groups should be used as a guide as to whether your child is ready for potty training.
Because of the developmental differences, potty training girls may begin slightly earlier than little boys may. Just bear in mind that potty training toddlers is always going to be challenging, but you can make the “job” less difficult than it might otherwise be, and less stressful – for both parent and child – if you begin when your child is at the proper stage.
Written by Brenne Meirowitz