Week 4 Lesson: Engaging Your Child’s Imagination

see larger photo

Week 4 Potty Lesson

Is your child willful? Moody? Prone to throwing temper tantrums these days? If so, you’ve a normal toddler! At about 18 months, children realize they have a mind of their own and go out of their way to prove that they’re under their own will, not yours. Therefore, when it comes to engaging your child in learning to use the toilet, don’t be surprised when you hear, “Nonono!” or “Go away!” from your typically willful toddler.

What do you do when you’re trying to work toileting into the daily routine and instead of co-operation all you get is a tizzy fit? At this point, call on your child’s favorite doll or stuffed animal. Say, “Bunny will sit on the potty. Hurray for bunny! He didn’t go, but he practiced. Good for him!” You’ll be amazed as your child takes her turn on the potty right after Bunny, Teddy, or Dolly. Engaging the child’s imagination can work like magic as motivation.

Then, all on her own, you might see your child play about toileting with toy animals and dolls, not prompted by you. Your child’s emerging imagination helps him overcome any fears and frustrations she may have about toileting, while easing the transition of going in diapers to going on the potty.

This Week’s Readiness Sign

Does your child set dolls and Teddy bears on her little potty chair? If so, she’s warming up to the idea of sitting on the potty herself!

Don't miss the Week 4 Potty Project: Tell a Toilet Tale