After walking, toilet training is the second-hardest thing a child will learn to do. That's why communication, patience and consistency are key components in the training process, according to Zaina Daoud, a teacher turned healthcare expert who hosted a recent Pre-School for All parent workshop.
"Potty-training is a transitional phase," Daoud said. "Up until now, children have been in diapers and pull-ups. They can't communicate when they are young they have to use the bathroom.
"That's why we, as parents, need to be consistent and prompt them to use the toilet after they've eaten or drank something," she said. "We, as the adults, need to initiate having them go to the bathroom. We need to look for trends or patterns in children's behavior when it comes to potty-training." Be careful because over-prompting can become nagging."
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Daoud said no two kids are alike in terms of when they perfect toilet-training, even siblings. And, like most other things in life, boys lag a bit behind girls when it comes to mastering the art of toilet-training.
She said children should also learn proper bathroom etiquette, including how to clean themselves and wash and dry their hands.
