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Now that your role is defined, it's time
to look at your child from the four different aspects of toilet
training readiness. The first is physical.
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Children can't walk
until their muscles are developed enough to carry them across the
room. They can't write the alphabet until their fine finger muscles
are ready to form intricate shapes. A child can't be potty trained
until the bowel and bladder muscles are strong.
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In order to be
toilet trained, these muscles must be developed sufficiently to hold
in the urine and stool. For infants and toddlers, pee and poop simply
come out when the bladder or bowel is full. When a child is
physically ready to be toilet trained, the muscles are strong enough
to keep in the urine and stool and then release them when the child
decides the time is right.
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Notice if your
child's diaper is dry for an hour and a half or so. This is your
first indication that the bladder muscles are developing. If your
child is constantly wet, he simply isn't ready.
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As your child plays,
notice if he stops his activity when he's having a bowel movement. If
he does, it is a sign he knows something is happening with his body.
Comment, "You're pooping in your diaper. Someday you'll go in the
toilet." He isn't ready to use the toilet, but it's significant that
he recognizes what he's doing. If your child actually gets up and
walks to his bedroom to have a bowel movement in his diaper, he has
developed control of his rectal muscles.
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