Need Some Failproof Potty Training Tips

I too find it very unfortunate that his providers are not more involved and helpful in your potty training efforts. As a licensed provider and infant/toddler/preschool teacher, I can't even begin to tell you how many children I have potty trained over the years- both in a center setting and now in my home daycare. As someone else mentioned, there needs to be a consistancy as far as how often he is sent to the bathroom. Setting a microwave or egg timer at home or trying to find a watch with an alarm for your son. When it goes off it's time to go-no matter what. Play time is always the biggest hurdle when potty training because children just become so consumed in what they are thinking and doing. Begin to gradually extend the time in between bathroom visits, but don't rush this process. Continue to emphasize the importance of being a "big boy" and maybe set up reward systems for staying dry. Best of luck in your potty training efforts and in finding a quality child care that is more sensative to working with families!

dont have any i am looking for a preschool for my 3yr old boy, who only goes on the potty if he wants, any good advice you get pass it on!

I agree with Danielle R. But I also need potty training advice on how to start. ie do you just sit them on the potty at first, do you say okay lets take off your diaper and go sit on the potty ect. Also with boys you do sit them on the potty to pee first right? Then when they get the hang of it then you teach them to stand to pee?

First of all I wonder... What preschool was he in? I am currently working as a substitute at a Head Start and I haven't heard of anything like what they did with your baby. Actually we encourage them to go potty and we take them in bathroom break several times in the morning (since afternoon is nap time) and if you are having hard time potty training they would allow you to take pull-ups and they will help with that piece of development. I can suggest that you use charts at home, and everytime he goes potty give him a sticker to put on it, and when he reaches some many stickers he can have a reward. It works! Hope this advices help you, and if by any chance you want to talk more, feel free to send me a message and I will help you as much as I can. I will also find out about him getting kicked out of preschool because that seems odd.
Good luck to you and your boy!
God Bless You!

You need to be consistent (and your daycare/preschool does also). If you are a SAHM then make a commitment to stay at home for a few days until he gets the hang of it. No trips to the store for a few days. I don't like the idea of tangible rewards (M&Ms, toys, etc) I like a lot of praise. I also say throw away the pullups or use them only at bedtime.

Hello B.,

Our daughter was potty trained for #1 just at age 3 (but not for #2 until age 4). What really worked for her was an Elmo DVD we found on the subject. After watching it a few times an afternoon, she asked to go to the potty... and did it! We couldn't believe it, as we had almost given up potty training her figuring she needed more time (we tried for 6 months). She was so proud of herself, she wanted to go again every 10 minutes!!! After that, accidents happened ocasionally, but we dind't make a big deal of it, as it's almost part of the process. Some preschools are more strict than others in this respect, good luck finding the right one for your son.

Sounds like you picked the wrong preschool. If they aren't consistant with helping you to train him then they weren't the right choice.

The foolproof way is for EVERYONE involved in your sons life to train him. Teachers at school, grandparents, aunts, babysitters, I mean everyone. Another important point is that no one should ever say "Just pee in the pull up because there's no bathroom here"

Also, you have to make him get on the potty and try everytime you say "Its time to go potty" Don't ask if he has to go. He shouldn't have a choice to tell you No

The stickers are a great idea, they love those. He is only 3, accidents will happen no matter what. We did sink the cherio, so to get the aim down. We also had him train his teddy bear, we even had a party for the bear when we thought he was all trained and didnt have any accidents! My son wanted a party also, so he trained just after the party! We made it fun, he is only 3. If your out, pull-ups are great. His bladder may not be ready to train all the way yet. Good luck!

Did your preschool have scheduled times for everyone to visit the toilet? I believe that by structuring his activities, he would probably be fine. The problem is because he is having so much fun at school that he is not stopping to go to the bathroom. Maybe you should look into a new preschool, one that would assist him rather than banish him.

I am sorry that the preschool kicked him out. I am not sure if I agree with that sort of thing. Boys take awhile to get the hang of it all. My son was close to 4 when he was fully potty trained. He wore pull-ups until he recognized it was time to go potty, and didn't want to wear them anymore. I would also remind him on the hour if he had to go. Usually he would just get sick of me asking him, and then would go when he needed to. I don't know if this helps. It took a lot of patience and commitment on my part to know that he will eventually get there.