Parenting and Support

*Information in this section was originally developed by a team that created a website for families focused on "raising deaf kids" (see About Us). The content may have been edited or updated.

Get ready to spend a lot of time in the toilet! Relax and enjoy spending this special time with your child. Read this page for ideas to help your child get ready for potty training:

Talk to your child

• Before you start, make sure that you both know the words or signs for toilet, pee and poop (if you are signing to your child).
• Talk about how the body works. Tell her she needs to wait to pee or poop in the potty or toilet.
• Use pictures to teach your child how to use the potty or toilet:
  • In the bathroom put up pictures showing the steps to take. This will help your child know what to do.
  • Include a picture showing someone washing her hands after using the toilet or have a picture of the sink and soap.
• Avoid words like "dirty" or "stinky" when you explain how her body works. This might embarrass her.
• Tell her why it is good to use the potty:
  • No more diaper rash
  • She will be clean and dry.
  • It is an important step towards growing up.
• Use dolls or action figures to show your child how to use the potty. Make it fun!
  • Train the doll to go to the potty.
  • Praise and give a sticker or small reward when the doll goes to the potty successfully.
  • Use this as a way to encourage your child. If she uses the potty successfully, she can also get a sticker or other small reward.
• With your child color pictures of a boy (for boys) or a girl (for girls) using the potty. While coloring, explain how one uses the toilet. Choose a potty-training chair or the adult toilet seat.

The Potty Chair

• Your child can sit comfortably. You can also move it to different places around the house.
• Let your child put stickers on it. Let her sit on it and watch TV. This will help her get used to it.
• Take her to the potty chair whenever she needs to go. Tell her how to use it and what to do.
• Show her what you mean by throwing what's in her dirty diaper into the potty.

The Adult-Size Toilet Seat

• It is easy to clean up. It makes using toilets away from home easier for your child.
• Get a small step stool so your child can climb on and off the toilet. Also, get an adjustable seat.
• Remember to explain to her how to use the toilet whenever she needs to go.

For some direction on deciding if your child is ready to potty train, visit:

• Potty Training Tips (boystownpediatrics.org)
• Toilet Training (boystownpediatrics.org)
• Potty Training: How to get the job done (mayoclinic.org)