Potty Training Tips for Girls

Training a child to use the toilet properly is a process that strikes fear in the hearts of most parents. As potty training looms, questions arise about how to go about the training, how to reward the proper use of the toilet, how to know when a child is ready to be potty trained and what is a realistic timetable for potty training. Books are a wonderful resource for parents to gain insight and information on the topic of potty training. Likewise, potty training books geared toward children help them understand and embrace the concept.

For parents, books on the subject of potty training are seemingly endless. From every viewpoint and opinion to scientific studies and polls, potty training gets a lot of press. Find and read several books in order to gain a comprehensive look at methods and practice. Have a wider base of knowledge by consulting several sources instead of just one. After gathering information, make a plan about how to practically implement it with the individual child. In doing so, the child will have a potty training plan that suits their needs and development.

A great resource to consult for parents is On Becoming Pottywise by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam. It takes a developmental readiness approach to potty training. The authors delineate readiness cues from the child to help the parent identify when to begin the training process. It also addresses the crucial role that time management plays in mastery of the potty and the use of props to help children make the connection about when and how to use the potty.

Just as parents gain valuable insight by the reading of books, children thrive when presented with pertinent information geared toward them. Pirate Potty by Samantha Berger or Once Upon A Potty by Alona Frankel are great options to read aloud to children who are exhibiting readiness signs. While Pirate Potty is gender neutral, Once Upon A Potty is available in two gender-appropriate copies. Both books present potty training as a fun, exciting experience. They show and explain what to do so that a child’s fears about using the toilet are minimized.

Potty training can be an anxiety-ridden and stress-filled time in the life of a parent or child, but with the help of books, it can be greatly minimized or eliminated altogether. By taking control and gaining insight through outside resources, parents equip themselves to train their children to the best of their ability.