Montessori Potty Toilet Learning
With a potty is not always a part of the Montessori approach to toilet learning. It may work to make the toilet more reachable by using alternative adaptions or measures. If you are interested in toilet learning the Montessori way I recommend Toilet Awareness and Toilet Leaning – The Montessori Strategy. I also urge posts at Help to Michael and Life Olaf.
Toilet Learning – Our Journey in Outline It’s likely this will be our last toilet learning post. Otis has slipped seamlessly (and without fault) into night time toileting. We are at the end of our toilet learning journey. I have a couple thoughts and propositions if you are at the beginning of your journey. Absolutely every child differs so we must be flexible yet your attitude and your approach are most significant. It is not chance that Otis is toilet trained. We are extremely lucky that I am able to stay at home with him which helps and that he is healthy. But what got him ‘trained’ was patience, perseverance and consistency. Our very first step in Otis toilet learning was to get him out of a nappy. Training slacks were critical in this process. Otis toilet learned in this and steps is a simple overview.
1. DAY: TRAINING TROUSERS (AT HOME) NAPPY (WHEN OUTSIDE) NIGHT: NAPPY During the day at home training slacks were consistently worn by Otis. When we left the house during the day and at night he wore a nappy. While at home we offered him the potty and when he seemed like he needed to go (we recognised the signals – largely holding his pants) we took him to the potty.
2. DAY: TRAINING TROUSERS NIGHTTIME: NAPPY We transitioned to Otis wearing training pants during the day. The training pants he wore at this stage (from Michael Olaf but now discontinued) held so there were no pools but Otis needed tending to immediately. At this period he was still wearing a nappy during the night.
3. DAY: KNICKERS (AT HOME) TRAINING TROUSERS (WHEN OUT) NIGHT: NAPPY We transitioned Otis to wearing training pants when we left the house and just wearing underwear at home. The training pants gave us confidence that if Otis had an injury most of it’d be captured – no pools on the shop floor, but Otis and his clothing would be wet. Otis was wearing Under the Nile Infant Training Trousers (12-24 months). At this stage he was wearing a nappy through the night. This was the longest period of a few months.
4. DAY: UNDERWEAR NIGHT: NAPPY As Otis became routine and more confident at using the potty he transitioned to wearing panties constantly during the day and wore a nappy during the night.
5. DAY: UNDERWEAR NIGHT: PANTIES Otis became confident going to the potty that at night he would take his nappy off. He transitioned to wearing panties all of the time. He’ll occasionally make use of the potty at night but usually waits until morning. When he wakes in the morning he generally goes straight to the potty. He nurses before bed and during the night although I attempt to restrict his fluids before bed. In addition , I request him to use the potty before bed but he’s stubborn and generally refuses. As I mentioned we would offer the potty when it seemed like he need to go and before we left the house to Otis. Often when he awakens from his nap or returns from outings he must visit the potty straight away.
It was significant to us that we remained (as much as possible) emotionally detached from the method. It was significant to us not to punish or praise, while I looked pleased when we’d success. We also never forced Otis. If he seemed like he needed to make use of the potty but refused to do so, I would get his hand and attempt to lead him to the potty, if he still refused I’d leave him and usually he would wet his pants. Then he would come to the potty to get changed/cleaned up with me. We never forced him to make use of the potty, we never used harsh words, threatened or bribed. If he wet his trousers – he wet his pants, we simply got on with it. We have toddler seat and a step stool on our toilet which Otis has begun using. He uses the potty and also the toilet standing and sitting. We’ve got a potty in the car that I offered to Otis before he was able to hold for a period that is decent. On each trip I’d offer him the potty when we arrived and before we departed. It was rarely used by him. Lately he’s revealed that he is able to hold and frequently uses public toilets (school, sports stadiums, stores), although he likes to remove his underwear, trousers/short, shoes and socks and I’ll hold him while he sits on the toilet. In the event that you read through our Toilet Learning Posts you are going to know we’ve had up and downs and I’ve found travelling and locating us out of routine especially challenging. There’s been lots and wreck of cleaning up. But we’re done at 22 months, it is totally worth it. If you’re at the beginning or in the center of bathroom learning, no matter which approach you’re using – I wish you the best. P.S. I’ve had some critical appearances when Otis has had an accident in public. No matter the age of the child – young or old, please be kind to other parents.
Toilet learning – three phases
There’s an excellent feeling you get when your child does the right thing at the perfect time. It makes you feel proud, makes you feel like a fantastic parent. Then there are times when your kid messes repeatedly makes blunders or does the wrong thing and you also feel as a failure. Bathroom learning could be demanding like that. Wrecks are often made by Otis or has accidents but it’s more public than others or worse, some days. This morning it absolutely was on my bed, last week it was three puddles within our parent-toddler course. Mostly I just get on with things, I never make a fuss. He is getting it. Where are we at? Otis has been using the potty at home for a lot of months now. At home he will normally go without trousers or have underpants on. If we are going to go out, have only been someplace or have guests over, Otis will wear slacks/shorts. Remember the summer of it’s here. At home he will generally make it to the potty however there’s at least one accident a day, occasionally more.
Beware of the under-pant fixation. If it doesn’t have a car on it – Otis will not wear it.
Emptying the potty is a huge deal. Otis takes great pride and care in wiping it clean, emptying it and taking the used potty to the toilet. Subsequently the fun of flushing the toilet the same as a big lad. He’s super inquisitive about other family members using the toilet. I think most toddlers are like this, investigating what goes on around them. Toileting at home – Phase One whole! We’re currently working on Phase Two – toileting away from home. When we go out training slacks are typically worn by Otis. The single time Otis wears a nappy is at night. As Otis doesn’t always makes it to the toilet while we are out the training trousers catch most of the wreck. I will have Otis sit on the potty, before we go out. Frequently he simply gets up and walks away. I’ll give him a drink of water while he sits on the potty if I know he really has to go. This is the only method I’ve really been able to get him to use the potty on cue. There is some thing about having. It is working. I keep a potty in the car and if I still feel like he needs to go I’ll frequently ask him to use the potty while we’re out. He never has. This may not work for him. If we are at a friends house or at school I am going to take Otis to the toilet on coming (if it’s been a little while since he’s been) or when he gives me the sign which he must go (generally reaching/touching his pants). So we’ve some success while we’re out but it’s definitely requiring work and consideration.
Phase Three is at night. Otis wears a nappy at night but frequently he takes it off. On his bed he’s the puddle pad under his sheet. During the day he will normally wake and require to go to the potty straight away. I think the usage of the potty increases and night time toileting will occur soon and naturally as Otis starts taking his nappy.
Toilet learning is a place where we haven’t done it by the book. We’ve struggled at times and I’m just describing how it is working for us not how I’d recommend it to others. We’re finding our way. In the event that you are looking for recommendations or thoughts the way to approach toilet are some of the very best tricks I’ve ever read. This summer we’ll be travelling but I am not feeling irresolute. There’ll be times when Otis will desire help/a change of clothing but I am actually feeling assured. The turtle that was red potty was picked up during our last journeys and it’s become the favourite of Otis. It may be travelling with us. How are you going with toilet learning? I don’t actually know of anyone at the same stage as us. Before they start, most children we understand have successfully learned toileting at a younger age or the parents decided to wait until a subsequent age. Folks are either shocked because we have began early or believe we have began late.
Toilet trained by two?
I adore having a toilet trained toddle. Life is so much more easy. All of the perseverance and pain was worth it.
At 22 months I feel like I can say that Otis is toilet trained – only. We haven’t approached night toileting but I must get to that shortly. It has been distressing. For about three months his toilet learning only plateaued. For three months I mean one or two injuries everyday – by plateaued. Now I cannot recall his last injury. He sometimes makes a mess but that is related to tricky clothing or dare I say being a boy. He needs help with his clothing. He also WOn’t go anyplace other when compared to a toilet or a potty. His preferred place is a real toilet. He uses a step stool as well as a toddler seat when needed. Otis does not have accidents during his daytime naps but he will usually go once he awakens. Same with automobile trips, once we return home he’ll generally go right to the toilet.
Amongst his peers he’s neither late nor early. Personally, I do not feel there is an age whereby a child should be trained but I believe that once a child knows (when they need to go) and have control (over their bodily functions) they should be given the opportunity (to use the potty/toilet). Once a kid may use the potty I feel it is disrespectful to put them in a nappy (hence my wake up call to start night toileting). Additionally it’s summer here and summer is really so simpler than winter. I’ve always had as an expectation for my own children. Two entirely trained Caspar. He night toileted readily. I’m expecting the same with Otis. Yay to Otis and wish me luck with the nights.
Child care Toronto
When to begin toileting
Between twelve and eighteen months is the sensitive period for starting toilet awareness. It could start sooner or later, according to the little one. Look for signals of readiness: An interest in cycles (bib now goes in the hamper, hamper would go to the basement, into the equipment, etc. Child watches with interest and even follows along).
Kid is walking. You find child touches her/his genitals. Kid is beginning to have bowel movements at particular times of day. Although a kid shows none of those hints but will become interested the moment you start to attract her awareness of toileting, so we still urge starting before 18 months. Equip for toileting success! To get started, purchase as many as 30 pairs of underpants that were thick. We advocate Gerber training trousers which come 3 in a pack for about 5 dollars at Target (US). They’re the most absorbent and expensive, but durable. For success, the leg holes the knickers loose that it can be pulled up and down without extraneous attempt on the child’s part as well as should be big enough. For a young child between 18 and 12 months, Gerber training trousers, size two, is advocated. If she is big for her age, or as the child approaches 18 months, size three will be needed by her. Place an item of flannel that is rubberized and buy several sheets of it for the bed. Be certain you have many pairs of pull-on trousers for the child, as he can must change frequently.
Have plenty of bed sheets so you could alter them frequently.
Pull carpets that are fine up. Find “Nature’s Wonder” at a pet shop, to promptly and effectively clean carpets or the floor when needed. This product is safe for carpets that are nice removes not only the spot, but the scent, and can merely be left on the carpet.
Set out little potties, a variety if needed, and encourage the little one to sit on them, praising when she or he does. Our favorite is the really modest Baby Bjorn potty, costing about $10 in catalogs. There are two sizes, both useful, in place of the real toilet, helps the little one in two ways: he can be more independent and feel protected; and he can more clearly see his results-waste in the potty-afterwards. Place a potty in each toilet with a small pail to the left and modest basket of clean knickers on the right. Bath mat or a folded towel underneath the three things creates a non slip surface and a organizes appearance. When you start toileting These first three points will be the most important, because they must do with drawing on your kid’s focus to the element of our daily lives: Let her see you and other family members sitting on the toilet just as much as you can. At first, take your youngster to the toilet every half-hour or so and encourage her to sit on it while you sit on the adult toilet ( just for an instant, as would be natural). Carrying this out helps your kid to understand through the experience of utilizing the toilet, and this works far much better than asking your child,” Do you need to head to the restroom ?” Which generally gets a “No!” even when they do need to go! It is very important your kid change into dry panties promptly after wetting it. We would like her to be used to the feeling of dryness, and to respond immediately to wetness.
In the initial phases, your child could wear just her underwear from your waist down, so that shifting and using the potty is straightforward and doesn’t take long. Time is key with getting bowel movements into the toilets! Make it a routine time to go the toilet together, in the event you discover your child has a bowel movement around the exact same time each day and sit on the toilets. Observe him carefully and take him to the bathroom immediately if he went in his underpants, in order to help him change, observe the BM go to the toilet and flush it down in case your child is unusual in his time. Continue your attempt to get him to sit and “hang out” around the bathroom when you believe a bowel movement could be on its way – you can even read novels together to pass the time if this works. Continue to try and involve the little one in dressing and undressing. If the child urinates in her toilet, show her that you’re placing the urine to the toilet that is bigger and flushing. In redressing her, giving particular focus on helping her learn to place her dry panties on independently, afterward collaborate.
It helps in the early periods to really have a potty in whatever room he’s playing in so he can see it and get in time to it. He should only wear pants that will be naked or in underwear from your waist down when reasonable, and are simple to pull himself up and down in this stage.
Throw out all diapers when you start this toiling phase. You child has to be set up for success and sense our assurance that, eventually, he will be able to utilize the toilet each time. Many kids apply the toilet till they’re old and sleep too greatly to wake. There are various methods to manage this, depending on her age, your child, and also the stage you’ve reached in toileting. Speak to your kid’s manager. During the early stages of toilet training, bring a potty with you (to use at your destination) when you take your child outside in the car. Stick it in the bathroom of the home you happen to be visiting, even if it’s merely a short stay. This helps set the routine of going to the restroom upon leaving your house and upon arriving at destinations. Upon returning commonly, before leaving the house and when out as well as about, take your child to public toilets. We recommend making it a habit, and matter-of-factly saying, “We all sit on the toilet to get an instant before venturing out and upon coming home”. (Only get them to sit to get a moment – if they pop back up or do not urinate, simply dismiss it and move on. Eventually, they will choose to use this opportunity.)
For airplane rides or special occasions, we encourage you never to put your child back right into a diaper, but instead, place an Nikki diaper wrap over her panties. Manufactured from waterproof fabric that is soft this diaper cover allows you to still check for wetness, so your training period is not interrupted. That is a pleasant ” safety net” for you in certain public situations. Constantly keep a few changes of slacks and panties in the vehicle, so that you resume your shopping, and after that can go back to the vehicle for a quick change as soon as your child is wet. For me the best guidance is how exactly to manage toileting when away from home. Caspar taken before he was two however I ‘d him in nappies because I used to be frightened of creating a wreck when we were out toileting. Our lovely Montessori parent- without her encouragement I’d have kept Caspar in nappies for much more and toddler teacher gave me the push I needed. This time with Otis I’ll feel more assured leaving the house nappy-less and will undoubtedly use many of the hints. Actually I am off now to order more loo learning trousers and then to set up another toileting space within my bathroom.
Toilet learning – two steps forward, one step back
Thank you from the exact bottom of my soul of all of amusing stories, tricks, suggestions, your kind comments and words of warmth and encouragement regarding my post on travelling with a toilet learning toddle.
As I mentioned we were not merely travelling, we were travelling last minute, I was travelling with the lads without my husband (therefore feeling extra vulnerable) and we were also grieving for member of the family who is no longer with us. Gosh, I’m having trouble holding back the tears now. So just how did we go?
We left home at about 4.30am. I consider this to be nighttime , and so I kept Otis in a nappy. But into the vehicle we went right from the plane and that I decided to keep on a nappy. Although he can make use of the potty at home he wouldn’t indicate in time for us to stop the automobile. Until he was out of a nappy, it was well into the afternoon. During our stay Otis in was in a mixture of underwear training pants and nappies. He seldom made it. Overall we didn’t make much progress. Now we’re home the nappies are gone again (except for night). During our journeys I learnt several things whom I wish to remember. You don’t have to be a great or even a good parent all of the time. Uniformity is vital. Children need consistency to behave consistently. Kids must know (very clearly) what is expected of these.
A flexible and relaxed strategy will help keep you composed.. I hope my next toilet is saturated in success and high fives. It might be a while coming. But I am not putting pressure on Otis or myself. Now we are back to our home environment and also a routine that is common toilet learning with that highly popular uniformity can be continued by us.
Travelling with a toilet learning toddler – give me strength. We know the sensitive period for toilet learning is 12-18 months. Eek, Otis is now 17 months and although we have been doing nicely (by our standards) things are still a bit hit and miss.
Otis wears training trousers or underpants at home. When we are out of the house training pants are usually worn by Otis. For his nighttime slumber he wears a nappy. At home it is occasionally made by him to the potty. He understands when he needs to go. Sometimes the potty will be looked at by him and occasionally he will look at me and next thing we know there is a puddle on the ground. But progress is being made by him and we are happy with where we’re at. We received some awful news last night. We shall be flying out to be with family first thing tomorrow. Together with all the craziness of making and unexpectedly packing organizations I nearly gave myself permission to return back to nappies full time. We now have a flight to catch, longs drives ahead of us. Many hours will be spent in the homes of family. I’m afraid that Otis is not going to use the potty while we are away. That the preparation, cleaning and washing will be a waste of time. But if we go back to nappies what message does that send to Otis? I understand that the toilet learning toddle is nothing to be embarrassed by. However, as we are toilet learning before than others it feels like we have a point to establish (and that we’ll fail miserably). My family are entirely realizing, I understand there’s absolutely no shame in having a toddler not make it to the potty. There’s no shame in wet pants. I know my family will support me and Otis.
Toilet Learning Hints
The aforementioned image is of the toilet learning place of Otis. We’re utilizing a cube chair here (the other is in his dressing/care of self place) as Otis needs support when standing. The bucket is for clothing that is soiled. You may read that a sign of readiness is walking. Otis isn’t walking but certainly knows when he needs to use the toilet. I didn’t want to squander this opportunity so have commenced toilet learning and miss his obvious sensitive period.
Camilla (mother of two) recently sent me these toileting tricks. I found them so useful I wished to give you. Maybe you may find them useful also? The Directors at Forest Bluff School have supplied these suggestions and that I sincerely thank them for allowing me to print here.
Indirect groundwork for toileting From birth, change your youngster ‘s diaper when she is wet to give lots of indirect training (this can occasionally mean as often as every hour).
Using cloth diapers from the beginning helps immensely only because they feel wet instantly, in acquiring comprehension. This instant feedback helps the child make the connection involving the impulse to urinate and also the result of releasing her muscles. Toilet training thereby occurs slowly, over time. While her changes when your child is right at the age of pulling up to standing, let her stand about what you’re doing, even requiring the kid where you’ll be able to, and talk. This way, she is able to see what is happening and take an interest. Move the diaper changing to the bathroom when your kid begins to stand and walk, if you’ve not done so already. It will help them make the appropriate associations between location and activity.
Toilet Learning Pants
Along with shoes we also purchased these toilet learning slacks from Michael Olaf.
Although as it is possible to see they’re bulky and consume much like a nappy, neither Otis or I might even tell he was wet Otis has been wearing training pants for some time such as the red ones in this post. I was searching for trousers that were;
Absorbent enough there isn’t any puddle but the kid still feels wet
Easy to determine the child is wet
Slimline, not at all bulky
Uncomplicated to get on / off, even for a very young child
Created from natural fibers
Comfortable
These slacks are ideal for all of us. They can be manufactured from organic cotton and so far no pools. Not a wet bed. Although I don’t deliberately have him sleep in them. I normally alter him before bed, sometimes I actually don’t get a chance.
They are just worn by Otis when we’re at home. When he is in training slacks I’m in a position to view when he’s wet and have worked out a little pattern. Otis is also quite alert to when he must work with the toilet (potty) but occasionally we do not make it in time. The slacks also help with self confidence. No issue when the pants get wet, we will go put on a dry pair.
Otis
DIY Wool Puddle Pad
What is a Puddle Pad?
A pad that operates much just like a mattress protector. It may also be utilized as a change mat or to take care of your car seat. Excellent for toilet learning as well as for ECers, babies that are leaky nappies, leaky toddlers.
Why now? Together with his toilet learning on pants Otis will normally take a rest during the day. The pants consume some moisture but I don’t want to risk a yucky mattress. Until I realised how easy it really is to make one yourself I almost bought a puddle pad.
Why wool?
I truly dislike the mattress protectors I’ve seen in our shops – faux, sticky and crinkly. Cotton pads offer some protection but not as much as wool. I really adore wool plus it’s:
Breathable, helps to keep a body temperature that is comfortable comfortable
All natural Antibacterial and anti fungal Simple to wash, with small escapes a great airing is all that’s needed odour repellent, just atmosphere consistently
How? Find or thrift a 100% wool blanket, rather one that’s soft and fine. I found this blanket for $15. You might want to have a plain or neutral coloured blanket, in case you are setting the blanket under a light or white sheet.
Felt the wool in a hot wash. I followed having a hot dry cycle and used the hot water setting on my washing machine.
Cut the blanket to size. I cut two pieces the same size for additional thickness, I also ironed the blanket so that it might lie flat.
Sew the two pieces together. I used a simple stitch round the border merely to keep the bits together. It can not fray, as the wool is felted. In the event that you don’t sew you fold one layer in half or could only use one layer.
Trim the edges to neaten up.
To lanolise?
I haven’t lanolised. As Otis is sleeping with his pants on I expect the puddle pad to only ever get moist not completely soaked. Also I guess it would require a lot of lanolin which can be not cheap so I am giving it a go unlanolised. Fingers crossed!
I’ll put the pad underneath the sheet it is kept by it in place. So hopefully I’ve made it large enough, he does not go much in his sleep. I have heaps of the felted blanket remaining, I’m thinking of cutting it into squares for polishing or cleaning??
DIY Montessori Inspired Activities & Ideas for kids and parrents from Margaretta Pastrana 