Creating a comfortable, child-friendly bathroom setup is key. Choose between a potty chair or a toilet seat with a sturdy stool—letting your child help pick can boost excitement.
To prepare:
Let your child explore the potty seat fully clothed.
Encourage practice with flushing, pulling pants up/down, and sitting/standing.
Watch for cues that they need to go and talk about the sensation.
Model bathroom behavior to help them learn.
Use simple, consistent terms like “potty,” “pee,” and “poop.”
Start when life is calm and avoid stressful transitions like moving, a new sibling, or major routine changes.