Potty Training - Getting Ready |
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Toilet training is not an isolated event of simply learning to urinate and have bowel movements in the toilet. The process involves four aspects of your developing child: physical, intellectual, social, and emotional. It's important to understand how each of these areas contributes to teaching a child to use the toilet. Before taking a look at your child however, it's important to define your role. Picture a basketball game. Your child is the player. Most of the time the parent's role is that of cheerleader. As a member of the cheer squad you're thrilled and enthusiastic with each step he takes toward victory. If your child has a few accidents or even regresses temporarily, you don't get discouraged; you know that, sooner or later, success will happen. Even if he appears to be down by twenty points in the potty training process, any slight advancement gets applause. As "toileting cheerleader," you don't necessarily need pom pons and a "sis boom bah." What your child needs most from you is positive attention for any interest he shows or slight advances he makes in toileting skills. Sometimes a parent's role is that of coach. There are times when you need to step in, teach some skills, and coach your child to toileting success. And all good coaches recognize the importance of practice, practice, practice. The parent-as-coach needs to sense when the time is right to nudge the player into learning the next skill and gaining more competency. There are also times when a parent needs to referee; it's up to you to establish some rules and guidelines for potty training. Most of the time, though, you are a cheerleader. Just as a cheer squad never gets down on the team, you never get down on your child. When ultimate success occurs, you're relieved and thrilled. A developmental milestone has been reached. However, it's important to remember that this is the child's achievement and victory, not yours.
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