The Best Route to Independence is Child-Led
Instead of “toilet training,” let’s focus on “toileting independence” or “toilet learning.” This approach is more child-centered and can make the process less stressful for both you and your child. Toilet learning is a skill that develops naturally over time, just like other milestones like walking or talking, every child progresses at their own pace. By allowing your child to take the lead, you’re empowering them and fostering a sense of independence.
How Does the Brain ‘Develop’ Independence?
Children’s cognitive flexibility is still maturing during early childhood. In the in-between years, inflexibility may manifest itself in the form of resistance to change. One common example of this resistance occurs during the transition from diapers to the toilet.
Emotions play a significant role in a child’s toilet learning journey. A child’s feelings about using the toilet can influence their behaviour. Therefore, it’s crucial for adults to respond sensitively to these emotions. Many children feel comfortable and secure in diapers, as they offer freedom and flexibility.
Wearing underwear and using the toilet can require extra effort and patience, which might not always be appealing to a child. It’s important to remember that every child is unique, and their readiness for toilet learning varies.
Understanding the Learning Stages of Toilet Independence
- Awareness: Your child starts to recognize the sensations of needing to pee or poo. They might show signs like grunting, squirming, or pointing towards the bathroom.
- Interest: Your child becomes curious about the toilet and might try to imitate you or older siblings.
- Physical Readiness: They develop the muscle control to hold it and release it at will.
- Cognitive Readiness: They can understand simple instructions and follow routines.
The Role of Nurseries in Supporting Toilet Learning
Nurseries like Step by Step play a crucial role in supporting your child’s toilet learning journey. Not only are nurseries the place where children spend a large part of their day, they have experienced caregivers who know how to:
- Assess Readiness: by observing your child’s physical and cognitive development to determine if they are ready.
- Create a Positive Environment: by fostering a calm and encouraging atmosphere, making toilet training a positive experience.
- Establish Routines: by sticking to consistent routines helping children anticipate and regulate their bodily functions.
- Generate Reinforcement: by creating a reward loop and motivating children to build their self-esteem.
- Offer Guidance: by offering gentle support and avoiding pressure or punishment.
How to Integrate Toilet Learning into Daily Activities
Including aspects of toilet learning alongside other daily routine activities will make learning this skill less stressful and improve success. For example, talking about the importance of eating and drinking water during meals and snacks. Explain that their body will get rid of the food it doesn’t need to grow. Use visual aids, such as a picture of a toilet, on your daily schedule to show bathroom breaks.
Other play-based learning techniques can include:
- Using songs and rhymes, such as a hand-washing song.
- Creating puppet shows where characters recognize body signals and use the toilet.
- Setting up an area to play with toy toilets and dolls so that children can practice toileting steps.
Tips for Parents to Support Toilet Independence at Home
- Timing: Look for signs of readiness and avoid rushing the process.
- Reinforcement: Celebrate successes, no matter how small.
- Consistency: Establish a regular toileting schedule.
- Patience: Use gentle language and avoid scolding.
- Engagement: Let children choose their underwear and participate in the process.
Remember, every child is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to toilet independence.
Step by Step Nurseries offer free Toilet Independence workshops regularly across all their branches in Dubai.
If you’d like to make good hygiene habits an enjoyable part of family time; and ensure a stress free transition to school, head on over to our events page and register for our next session!
