Week 2 Lesson: Imitation of Elimination

Week 2 Potty Lesson

This week it’s time to shed your embarrassment and make a conscientious effort to bring your child into the bathroom when you’re using the toilet yourself. Toddlers are mimics; they learn most efficiently by watching you and others. Your toddler watches you eat and ultimately follows your example. He sees you dress yourself and in time learns to pull on his own coat, himself. Leave your mobile phone sitting on the coffee table and notice your child as she picks it up and “uses” it much in the same manner that you do—maybe even down to the way you pace as you talk.

Therefore it follows that children best learn to perform all the steps involved in toileting by watching parents and siblings. This includes everything from pulling down your clothing, sitting down on the toilet (or for Dad, standing up), wiping, flushing, pulling your clothes back on again, and then finally washing your hands.

While you might be willing to invite your child in the bathroom most of the time, there may be times when you’d really like a little privacy. When this is the case, it’s okay to say, “Mom needs privacy right now.” You can then close the bathroom door. Your child may protest but in time he will learn that there are times when people need to be granted alone time in the bathroom.

This Week’s Readiness Sign

Does your child imitate you and others? If your child imitates you cooking, shaving, and typing, he’ll likely imitate what you do on the toilet as well.

Don't miss the Week 2 Potty Project: Set an Open-Door Policy

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