Toileting: Following-through

Toilet training is a major milestone and a big step for kids and parents alike. The secret to success is PATIENCE. It's great if your child can do it with his/her therapist, but it is important that family members play a part in following-through. Generalizing a child's newly learned skill to their daily surroundings is all part of following-through after The Big Day. This is done without the therapist and usually with family members.

So here are some basic steps for parents:

• Ensure that you have the Toilet Picture on every door in the house.

• Track down the timing. When you notice that your child might need to use the toilet, they may be squirming, squatting or holding the genital area- respond quickly. Help your child become familiar with these signals, stop what he/she is doing and head to the toilet. Make sure the child removes the toilet picture before going into the toilet and remember to label the toilet with the word “TOILET”.

• Reinforce your child’s effort with STRONG REINFORCERS (something that really motivates the child) and verbal praise such as “How exciting, you’re learning to use the toilet just like big kids do. Be POSITIVE even if a trip to toilet isn’t successful. 

Written by  

Jerusha Jaffery

Consultant, EAP Malaysia