Week 1 Potty Project: Procure the Right Tools

First read this week's potty lesson, then move on to the project below.

Your Week 1 Assignment

This first week, take your child shopping for the tools she’ll need to get prepped for potty training. Here are some items to shop for:

A potty chair. You’ll need to decide if your child would like one that sits on the floor or one that sits on the big toilet, or you might find one that converts from a floor model to toilet model. Also, you’ll need to decide if you need more that one (which depends on the number of bathrooms that your child will be using). If you would rather, you can probably borrow a potty chair or seat from a friend or cousin or purchase one at a second-hand store.

Potty books. There are several out there in book stores, libraries, and online merchants. Locate a couple that you think will appeal to your child. As your toddler learns to spend a little time sitting on the potty, these work nicely for bathroom reading time.

A stool. In order for your child to reach the sink to wash hands after toileting, she needs a stool. Buy a sturdy one, as you want your child to feel safe and not teeter as she climbs up a step or two to reach the sink.

For now that’s all you need. As you shop, engage your child: This Challenge is all about involving your child in the potty training process.

Bring the newly purchased potty chair out of the bathroom and into the playroom. Let your child sit on it whenever he chooses getting familiar with and accustomed to this new piece of furniture. By doing so, you make toileting a normal part of everyday life, along with eating and sleeping.

Week 1 Toilet Training Tip

As your child warms up to the idea of sitting on her newly acquired potty chair, pay attention to her when she does so. For now, practice is what’s important, not performance. You only need to say, “Look at you, you’re sitting on the potty—good for you. Someday you’ll pee and poop there.”