Is Your Toddler Ready for Potty Training? 8 Signs
Most children are ready to start potty training between 18 months and 3 years. Readiness matters more than age: starting too early usually makes it take longer.
Signs of readiness
- Stays dry for two hours or more, or wakes dry from naps
- Has regular, predictable bowel movements
- Tells you, or shows you, when they are wet or dirty
- Hides to do a poop
- Can pull pants up and down
- Follows simple instructions
- Shows interest in the toilet or in wearing “big kid” underwear
- Can walk to and sit on a potty
Getting started
- Put the potty where your child can see it and let them sit on it clothed at first
- Try regular potty times: after waking, after meals and before bath
- Switch to pull-on pants so they practise pulling them up and down
- Praise every try, and never punish accidents
Night-time dryness usually comes later. Keep using pants overnight until your child wakes dry most mornings.