Potty training, toilet training, toilet teaching or toilet learning are names frequently used to describe how kids learn to use the bathroom independently.

Children who are potty training or ready to potty train will:

Walk to the potty and undress

Consistently keep underwear clean and dry during the day and/or night

Recognise the need to go to the potty and let you know or goes by self

Use the potty-chair or toilet by himself or herself.

Children will potty train at different rates and stages:

Detours in potty training come with the territory and should not be taken as a sign of failure.

Physical and mental developments play a large role in potty training success.

By using training pants in your training approach will help to make it a positive and rewarding experience.

Facts to keep in mind:

Girls usually complete training at a younger age than boys and generally start earlier than boys. The time-spent training does not change in most cases. 80 percent of boys and girls are completely trained by age 3-1/2. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Potty training takes an average of eight months but will vary from child to child. One child can take one month; another might take up to a year or more. There are kid trackers online that you can use to determine if you child is where they should be in their progress.

Potty chairs are best for most kids, but a potty seat for the big toilet can work with a little assistance and a step stool.

Before your child has started potty training, start thinking about a reward system that will work for both you and your child. Keep it simple and easy to stick with such as a sticker on the chart for sitting on the potty!