Top 5 Signs Your Toddler Is Ready to Potty Train
Hello everyone!
Potty training is one of the biggest milestones in early childhood, and it's also one of the questions parents ask us most often. While it's tempting to start because a child reaches a certain age, research tells us that successful potty training is less about the calendar and more about developmental readiness.
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are several common signs that suggest your toddler may be ready to begin the potty training journey.
1. They Stay Dry for Longer Periods
One of the first signs of readiness is staying dry for at least two hours during the day or waking from naps with a dry diaper. This suggests that your child's bladder muscles are developing enough to hold urine for longer periods.
Researchers have found that bladder control develops gradually as the nervous system matures, making this an important physiological sign that potty training may be successful.
Good to Know for Parents: If your child still has very frequent wet diapers, there's no need to rush. Waiting until bladder control begins to develop often makes the potty training process smoother and less frustrating for everyone.
2. They Know When They're Going
Does your toddler suddenly stop playing, hide behind the couch, squat, or tell you they've gone potty in their diaper? These are all positive signs!
Before children can successfully use the toilet, they need to recognize the physical sensations that tell them they need to urinate or have a bowel movement. Awareness almost always comes before independence.
Good to Know for Parents: Even if your child announces they've gone after the fact, that's progress. Hiding to go potty in their diaper, or squatting down is also a great sign they recognize they have to go. That’s because recognizing what happened is often the first step toward learning to recognize it before it happens.
3. They Can Follow Simple Directions
Potty training involves many small steps: walking to the bathroom, pulling pants down, sitting on the toilet, wiping, flushing, washing hands, and getting dressed again.
Children who can follow simple one or two-step directions are often better prepared to learn this new routine.
Good to Know for Parents: Don't expect perfection overnight! Potty training is a skill that develops through repetition, encouragement, and patience.
4. They Show Interest in Using the Toilet
Many toddlers become fascinated by the bathroom. They may want to play in the bathroom, flush the toilet, watch older siblings, ask questions, or insist on sitting on the potty fully clothed.
This curiosity is a wonderful sign because motivation plays an important role in successful toilet learning. Children who are interested are often more willing to practice and participate. Even if they are role-playing using the potty, that’s a great start!
Good to Know for Parents: Rather than pressuring your child, follow their curiosity. Reading potty-themed books, allowing them to choose underwear, or letting them help flush the toilet can build excitement without creating stress.
5. They Can Communicate
Potty training isn't just about physical readiness. It's also about communication. Your toddler doesn't need to speak in full sentences, but they should be able to let you know when they need help, are uncomfortable, or need to use the bathroom. This might be through words, simple phrases, gestures, sign language, or pointing.
Research suggests that communication skills support successful toilet training because they allow children to recognize and express the need to use the toilet before an accident occurs. As language develops, children become better able to understand routines, follow simple instructions, and participate in the potty training process.
Good to Know for Parents: Don't worry if your child doesn't say, "I need to use the potty!" right away. Saying "pee," "poop," pointing to the bathroom, signing, or even pulling at their diaper are all meaningful ways young children communicate. As long as your child has a way to express their needs, you're moving in the right direction.
Potty training isn't a race, and there isn't a perfect age to begin. Instead of focusing on the calendar, look for the developmental signs that your child is physically, cognitively, and emotionally ready to learn. With patience, consistency, and lots of encouragement, most children become confident, independent toileters in their own time!
Remember, accidents are part of the learning process. Celebrate the small victories, stay positive, and know that every successful trip to the potty is another step toward your child's growing independence. We are here to support you and your child, every step of the way!
Toodleoo!
Academic References:
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2009). Toilet training guidelines: Parents—The role of the parents in toilet training. American Academy of Pediatrics.
Blum, N. J., Taubman, B., & Nemeth, N. (2003). Relationship between age at initiation of toilet training and duration of training: A prospective study. Pediatrics, 111(4), 810–814.
Kiddoo, D. A. (2012). Toilet training children: When to start and how to train. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 184(5), 511–512.
Schum, T. R., Kolb, T. M., McAuliffe, T. L., Simms, M. D., Underhill, R. L., & Lewis, M. (2002). Sequential acquisition of toilet-training skills: A descriptive study of gender and age differences in normal children. Pediatrics, 109(3), e48.
Taubman, B., Blum, N. J., & Nemeth, N. (2003). Children who hide while defecating before they have completed toilet training: A prospective study. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 157(12), 1190–1192.