Mamas & Papas-
We've got a very active nearly two year old, who won't sit still. We've introduced the potty, but haven't figured out how to get him to sit and stay on it. He just pops right up. Any thoughts and suggestions for games/ books songs, techniques we can use to get DS to sit long enough for the magic to happen?
We've bought the elmo goes potty video, and a potty monkey to assist us and DS with the training, so I think we are OK on that front. What I'm after is books/ games activites which we can use to occupy him while on the potty/ toilet.
I asked this yesterday, but am trying again, becuase with the technical difficulties, I suspect it got lost in the shuffle.
Thanks again,
F. B.
If you have a hamper with a flat top or a TV table bring it in there with some toys or a coloring book. I just wouldn’t have him sit too long, maybe 15 minutes at a time. The most important thing is to be consistent, even with the time of day he is sitting.
I started my son at 22 months. Took him every half hour, gradually spreading it out to an hour after the first few days. I never really had him sit there for long, I think that may have been more confusing (?) I don't know.
Try taking him every half hour, and keep him in training pants (no pullups!) I would NOT wait until he's three, as many suggest. I think it's harder to train them when they're older. All three of mine we're trained around their second birthday and my MIL trained all of hers at 18 months. A diaper on a three year old is just gross IMO (unless the child is delayed/special needs, of course.)
I remember my nephews and 1 of my boys really enjoyed trying to 'hit or sink' Froot loops cereal...they also used to sell these colored sponge things that would turn the toilet water colors when you pee on them.
~For what it's worth, IMHO, if you are having an issue with him wanting to sit still he might not be ready? I am not in any way saying this b/c of his age either...b/c I am a firm believer that age has less to do with it than body development....all 3 of my kids were night and day trained at 2 y/o...so I know it can be done at this age.
Let me ask you this: Does he wake up in the mornings dry? Or from his nap dry? This was my signal with my own kids that they were ready.
He's not ready... wait until he's closer to 3. All this working you're doing will just frustrate all of you.
That's my heartfelt advice!
Smiles! Dawn
I'm with April: find some fingerplays/songs (you can google them online, there are tons) for him to enjoy with you.
A small magna doodle might also help. Some garage sale stickers can be fun too.
One thing you will have to keep in mind with potty training (from my long experience helping many kids learn this) is that if the child doesn't have a connection between "I go pee and I get wet" *AND* "I WANT to stay dry", it will be harder to keep them interested and invested in staying on the potty. I'm not saying 'he's not ready', however, if you are interested in any resources on assessing readiness for PT, please email me. I have a very nice one.
Updated
I'm with April: find some fingerplays/songs (you can google them online, there are tons) for him to enjoy with you.
A small magna doodle might also help. Some garage sale stickers can be fun too.
One thing you will have to keep in mind with potty training (from my long experience helping many kids learn this) is that if the child doesn't have a connection between "I go pee and I get wet" *AND* "I WANT to stay dry", it will be harder to keep them interested and invested in staying on the potty. I'm not saying 'he's not ready', however, if you are interested in any resources on assessing readiness for PT, please email me. I have a very nice one.
With my first who was similar, I put the potty in front of the TV - LOL worked though.
I answered yesterday, but I thought of something else.
The board books with the flaps were great! Magnadoodle kept him busy for a bit. And magnets on a cookie sheet to practice letters worked great too. The other thing my son loves was one of those hand held ring toss games. There are filled with water, and you push the buttons to try and hook the rings. I think I picked one up at a party store...he actually sat still to play that too.
Songs: ones that are longer and involve some movement? Wheels on the Bus, I'm picking up my baby bumblebee, Where is Thumbkin, stuff like that.
Any book that is currently keeping his attention, not necessarily a special "potty" book.
He can learn to count, or sing the ABCs.
To the tune of Twinklle, Twinkle Little Star:
Tinkle tinkle little pee
On the potty you will be
Poopy poopy stinky O
On the potty you will go.
We had the book and video for Once Upon a Potty.
We had The Potty Book for Boys.
We also had Potty Elmo.
My boys watched the video, read the books, played with the toy and played on the potty for months before we actually did the real training. I kept them in pull ups (so they could practice pulling their pants up and down) until they turned three, then we potty trained, and were done in less than a week.
Good luck!
