Toilet Learning

Lizzy peed in the toilet for the first time today!

We've taken the toilet learning approach with Lizzy early on. Toilet learning was introduced to me through Montessori methods which says there are sensitive learning periods for different things but for toilet learning it is before 18 months (some say 18-24 months) and another sensitive period at age 3. These sensitive periods are times when it's easier for the child to learn that particular skill.

In our case we tried cloth diapers for a time so that Lizzy could feel the wetness if she went and was aware of that whereas with disposable diapers the wetness is kept away from the skin. Another thing we have done is get a small size potty and have that out for her to sit in if she wants. From the time Lizzy started walking at around 11 months she has sat in the potty on her own. This may be too much information to some but since babies learn through imitation we have always let her be in the bathroom when we go. This has sparked a huge interest for Lizzy.

Within that past month Lizzy has shown signs of readiness by letting us know when she pee pees or poo poos, she will say that and point to her diaper, she will also go to the bathroom when we say potty, she's learned to take pieces off the toilet paper roll and tries to wipe then puts it in the toilet, and she's learning how to wash her hands. Flushing the toilet is a big reward for her.

Lizzy has shown a bigger interest in using the actual toilet rather than the potty so just yesterday we got a smaller toilet seat for her and put the step stool in front of the toilet and she climbed right up there and sat down. Today we actually took her diaper off and let her sit there on her 3rd try she peed in the potty! I hope she keeps learning at this pace. Lizzy has a strong interest in the toilet and likes learning anything that allows her to be more independent. Toilet learning allows the child to explore and learn at their own pace and be more independent.