When a child turns two, parents and caregivers are often anxious to begin the toilet training process. While there is no particular age when toilet training should begin, most children are ready between the ages of two and three. The most important thing is letting the child set the pace. Do not force a child to use the potty chair. Toilet training requires parents and caregivers to be patient, positive, consistent and aware of the child's readiness. Starting too early will only prolong the process and make it more stressful.

Signs of a Child's Readiness Include:

• The child stays dry for two hours or more at a time or is dry after naps. The child must be able to control the muscles that regulate bladder and bowel movements.
• Bowel movements become regular and predictable.
• The child shows signs of being uncomfortable with soiled or wet diapers and asks to be changed.
• The child is able to dress and undress with little help.
• The child can follow simple instructions.
• The child asks to use the toilet or wear underwear.

Once a child has begun to show these signs, you can begin the training process. The following steps can make toilet training easier:

1. Begin talking about the "potty chair" and becoming a big boy or girl.
2. Buy the potty chair and allow the child to sit on it fully clothed. Let the child become familiar with the chair before actually using it.
3. Gradually have the child sit on the potty chair without pants on. Make trips to the potty chair a regular routine throughout the day, even if the child doesn't go to the bathroom.
4. When the child has bowel movements in a diaper, dump the contents into the toilet. This helps the child associate what the toilet is for. Let the child flush the toilet. Children often fear that they will be flushed too, if they are sitting on the toilet.
5. After repeated successes with using the potty chair, encourage wearing training pants. Cotton pants are best since they allow the child to feel the wetness. Always practice good hygiene after going to the bathroom by washing hands with soap and water.

Most children achieve daytime dryness by three to four years of age. Staying dry through the night can take months or even years to achieve.

Some "Dont's" for Toilet Training:

• Do not shame, scold or punish a child for having an accident.
• Do not force the issue.
• Do not start the toilet training process if a change of residence just occurred or will be happening soon, if a new baby is expected or just arrived, or if there has been a major illness, death or family crisis.

Bed Wetting in Older Children

Enuresis (bed wetting) is most commonly caused by the delayed maturation of bladder control mechanisms. This is often hereditary. It is normal for children to have nighttime accidents when they are school age. It can be upsetting to a parent when a child who has been dry through the night suddenly begins to have accidents. Parents should consult a physician in these situations since accidents may be caused by emotional worry, anxiety or stress. It is essential that you are understanding, encouraging and supportive of the child. The child often feels embarrassed and ashamed of wetting the bed.

Ways You Can Help

• Buy a plastic mattress cover to protect the mattress from getting wet, and buy plenty of extra pajamas and bed sheets.
• Encourage your child to change the linens or help with laundry. This is not a to be used as punishment, but rather to relieve him from having to tell everyone in the family about wetting the bed.
• Try setting an alarm clock to awaken the child during the night (it is not recommended for you to awake the child before you go to bed).
• Reward accomplishments, but do not criticize failures.
• Limit fluid intake after 6 p.m. and be sure the child goes to the bathroom before bed.
• Do not allow teasing or negative comments within the family.

The information was developed by The Family Conservancy from a variety of professional resources. This is not a standardized measurement tool.