Potty training made simple

About 3 out of 5 parents choose to start potty training when their child is between 2 1/2 and 3 years, but there's no rush. If you start before your little one is ready, you'll both have weeks of frustration ahead.

Start at 18 months plus, with most parents beginning this approach when their child is between 2 and 3 years.

The key to potty-training success is starting only when your child is ready. While some children can begin as young as 18 months, others may not have developed the necessary physical and cognitive skills until well into their 4th year.

Studies show that if parents begin too soon, the process simply takes longer and is met with more resistance.

How long does it take?

Sometimes within days, but anything from one to five months is more typical.

What do you have to do?

Before training starts, parents encourage their child to sit on the potty to become accustomed to it. Training in earnest begins when the child is taken out of nappies. Some mums and dads prefer to use training pants to avoid accidents, although others believe that this sends a confusing message, and quicker results are achieved with a cold turkey approach.

Once in 'big boy' or 'big girl' pants', the child is encouraged to sit at regular intervals, starting with every 15 minutes and increasing to longer intervals as the days go on. Within days many parents find that the child is requesting to go, rather than needing to be reminded.

It always helps to make new challenges a bit of fun for your kids, so why not use Kandoo's 'Gettin' the Moves' fun song-and-dance routine, opposite? It mimics what to do when kids go to the loo and is a great way to help them learn good hygiene habits early on.

- Next: The good and bad points of potty training

More help and advice on potty training

- Seven steps to potty training
- The difference between the sexes in potty training
- 'Potty training takes patience' - one mum's experience
- Expert advice on potty training

By Catherine Bruton