Parenting Tips for Your 37-38 Month Old Child
Some 3 year olds can use the toilet, and others are not interested. Each child sets his own pace. It might comfort you to know that almost all children are toilet trained by their 4th birthday. Occasional accidents may happen for a year or two after that.
Is your child ready and willing to use the potty? Your child needs to be physically ready, able to understand what you want, and have the motivation to do it. Generally, girls are toilet trained quicker than boys are.
Talking about using the toilet can speed things along. Teach him words to use for the toilet and his need “to go potty”. Storybooks about the toileting process can help. Ask for suggestions at the library.
Use a potty chair or a full sized toilet with an adapted seat and step stool. Your child needs to feel secure while sitting on the toilet. Place the potty in an easy place to get to and encourage your child to use it. Keep your child’s clothing easy to remove.
Use these ideas to teach about using the potty:
- Young children love to imitate others. Let your child sit on his potty when you go to the toilet.
- Watch for signs that your child needs to go and help him go to the potty. Good times to try are when he wakes from a nap or after eating. Keep it short and stay with him.
- Recognize the small steps he takes along the way like pulling down his own pants or sitting on the potty (even when nothing happens!)
- Be positive and give hugs with each success. Soon you will be walking past the diaper shelf at the local store!
