Motivation and Rewards for Toilet Training

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Motivation and Rewards for Toilet Training

Things were going so well on the potty training front. But suddenly your child has stalled-or, worse, regressed. Don't worry; it's completely normal for children to take their time or experience setbacks. Your support and encouragement is all they need during this process.

Here are some tips on how to encourage your child to move forward by offering some fun incentives. The key is to start slowly and let your child conquer each step so he feels like he's doing it on his own. His pride in 'growing up to be like everyone around him' is well worth the wait.

The Art of Rewards

Potty Helpers

Underwear and Overwear

The Art of Rewards

Rewards can be powerful tools when used correctly. But when used incorrectly they can backfire, shifting the emphasis entirely off potty training and onto claiming the prize. Follow these guidelines to keep things on track:

Start with nonmaterial rewards. Your affection and congratulations are the most coveted rewards of all. You should always offer praise or a hug each time your child attempts a step, like telling you when she's urinating, even if it's into her nappy. You can also celebrate small successes (like sitting on the potty, even if nothing materialises) with a phone call to a loved one. Avoid overdoing it, however; you don't want to make the process overly important or place too much pressure on your child.

Keep material rewards small. Try rewarding your little one with a small treat each time he meets a goal. Go to the supermarket together and purchase pint-size prizes: stickers, Matchbox cars, crayons etc. Place them in an out-of-reach but in-sight location so your child can keep his eye on the prize during visits to the potty. Hand out a reward only when he actually meets a goal-otherwise, you'll run through your gifts in a matter of hours!

Avoid purchasing large, expensive items. Luring your child with overwhelming gifts takes his focus off mastering a new skill and places it on getting the goods. It can also set him up to expect something huge each time he does what should come naturally. You want your child to use the potty because he has control of and confidence in his body, not because it's his ticket to a new toy.

While offering edible treats-sweets, ice cream, crisps-can be effective in the short term, many experts warn against using food as a reward. You don't want your child to begin to look at certain foods (e.g., sweets) as something he receives when he pleases you or does something "good." Children at this age are already asserting control over what goes into their body as well as what leaves it. It's best to tackle food issues separately, rather than bringing them into the potty training arena. If you really want to ofer food treats try to make them healthy like fruit snacks e.g. grapes, banana, or raisins.

Make the reward immediate.You're more likely to reinforce desired behavior by rewarding your child right away. Most young children don't have enough perspective to make the connection between the reward and the behaviour if the reward comes hours after they've met their goal. The younger the child, the more immediate the reward should be.

Create a reward board.Older children (generally those aged 4 years and upward) will understand the concept of a payoff after a series of successes. To track your child's progress, set up a "reward board," a visual reminder of what she needs to accomplish to receive a prize. For each day of the week that your child stays dry, for example, you could place a gold star (or other sticker) on the board. When she collects five stars, she gets a small prize-an extra book at bedtime, the chance to see her favourite video or a small gift such as a stuffed animal.

Potty Helpers

There are other effective ways to motivate your child besides rewards. Try these parent-tested tactics:

Make the potty the best seat in the house.Many children feel more secure on a potty than on a toilet because when they sit, their feet are securely on the floor, and they aren't afraid of falling off or in. If you want your child to spend more time on the toilet, it should be a fun, comfortable place to hang out. Go shopping together for a new potty, such as one designed in his favorite colour or in a fun shape-an animal or a car, for example. Or decorate the potty you already own with bright stickers. You can even write you child's name on the toilet in permanent marker. You might also stash some special books next to your child's potty to encourage him to stay a little longer.

Use a potty partner.Going to the bathroom is much more fun when you've got company -- such as a beloved stuffed animal. Encourage your child to show her potty partner how to use the toilet-once she helps her companion master the task, she might be more likely to follow suit.

Underwear and Overwear

Purchase some special underpants to make your child feel grown up.Going from nappies to underwear is an exciting way for your child to feel grown-up. Even if he isn't quite ready for the leap to underwear just yet, the experience of shopping for some is a step in the right direction. Once he's wearing a favourite pair he may be more motivated to keep them nice and dry. (Buy several pairs, since there are sure to be accidents.)

Dress your child in easy-to-remove clothing. Keep your child in loose, easy to remove trousers. Help your child master the dressing and undressing needed to sit on the potty. Once he is comfortable sitting on the potty with his clothes on, try it without them.

If nothing you try makes a difference, your child is signaling to you he's not ready. In this case, the best thing to do is to back off and wait until he's physically and emotionally prepared to move forward again. Your patience and his readiness are the perfect combination. It's very common for children to refuse to use the potty, and it's best if you don't pressure him or make him feel guilty about it.

For more tips and guidance on how to potty train your child, please go to following articles:

My potty - not yours!

Do dos and don'ts

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