How I Taught My Daughter to Sit on the Potty

There are so many parents that constantly look for different ways to potty train their child. Yes, I am one of them. It wasn't until recently I found a new and fun way to help my child to understand how to use the potty. My daughter was born with Down Syndrome, so yes, it will take longer than usual to understand the process of going to the potty. This process works great with kids with Down Syndrome because of the pictures they can look at to help them understand what they are supposed to do in order to use the potty successfully.

Prepare in advance. Choose a theme that your child likes. Buy white underwear that doesn't have any type of pattern on it. "Decorate" the white underwear in the front where the child wets with the theme. The point of this is so that you can tell the child not to "tee-tee" on whatever theme you chose. "Don't "tee-tee" on Dora! ( I found Dora the Explorer fabric, cut out Dora, and attached them to the underwear with the specialty fabric that makes the patterns stick to the underwear, like "iron-ons".) Prepare a story board or story book (as shown at the end of the article) using the theme and your chosen "treat". Choose an appropriate treat for a reward. The treat should be something that your child would consider a reward, something he/she would "work" for. It should be something that is acceptable to you and your child's school/daycare, and it should be easy to dispense. Keep the treat in the bathroom where your child can see it, but not be able to access it. Cut out footprint shapes, and place on the floor "walking" into the bathroom.

Ok so here's the process.

Show your child the footprints.

Show your child the reward.

Tell your child that he/she can only get the treat when they successfully use the potty.

Tell your child how proud you are of them for becoming so grown up. "Now it's time to go potty like a big kid!"

Let your child see how excited you are about the new learning experience you are doing together.

Let your child have lots to drink. This will give your child plenty of opportunities to be successful.

Take your child frequently to the potty, about every ten to fifteen minutes until they "go." You can wait a little longer if they are successful.

When your child is seated on the potty, read their story board or book, EVERYTIME. This reinforces all the elements of the potty process.

If your child successfully uses the potty, give him/her a treat and be extremely excited and complimentary.

If your child has an accident, remove the soiled underwear, take your child to the potty, seat them on the potty, and go over the story again. Be sure to stress that they are a "big kid" now and they need to use the potty. Also remind them that they can only get the treat if they successfully use the potty. Get a dry pair of underwear and begin again.

Here's the story template:

(Picture of your child) My name is______ and I am ___ years old. This is my potty (picture of the potty the child uses) where I tee tee and poo poo (use your family's words).
First I pull down my pants (picture of your child taking down their pants).
Next I tee tee or poo poo in the potty only ( picture of your child sitting on the potty).
Then I flush the potty (picture of the child flushing the potty).
When I finish, I pull my pants up (picture of your child pulling up their pants).
I wash my hands (picture of child washing their hands).
I dry my hands with the towel (picture of child drying their hands).
FIRST, I tee tee or poo poo in the potty, THEN I get "treat"! (attach the treat to the board or book) I go tee tee and poo poo in the potty.
I am a big boy/girl! Mom and Dad (attach a picture of your child with these family members) are so proud of me!