Potty Training: Recognizing Readiness Through Early Signs
Potty training is such a big milestone — and like so many parenting adventures, it’s all about timing and tuning into your child’s cues. If you’re wondering whether your little one is ready to take this next step, you’re not alone. One of the best ways to set yourself (and your child) up for success is to start by looking for some early readiness signs.
Here are a few things to watch for:
- Verbal Cues: Your child may start saying “pee pee” or “poop poop” when they feel the urge to go or after they’ve gone. This is an exciting sign that they’re beginning to recognize their body signals.
- Trying to Undress: If you notice your child trying to pull down their pants or remove their diaper, they may be showing that they’re uncomfortable staying wet or soiled — another great readiness clue.
- Longer Dry Stretches: Staying dry for longer periods (like two hours or more) tells us that their bladder muscles are getting stronger and they are beginning to have some control.
- Toilet Curiosity: Kids often get fascinated by the toilet — flushing it, putting toilet paper in, or wanting to sit like the grown-ups do. Their curiosity is a wonderful gateway into introducing potty training!
- Hiding or Seeking Privacy: Some children may hide when peeing or pooping, or push you away when they are in the middle of it. This behavior shows they are becoming more aware of the need for privacy, an important step toward potty readiness.
If you’re seeing these behaviors, congratulations — it’s the perfect time to start gathering some simple information to guide your next steps. By collecting data on when your child naturally goes to the bathroom, you can start to build a toileting schedule that works with their body’s natural rhythm. Having this knowledge can make potty training less stressful and much more predictable.
And don’t worry — you don’t have to figure it all out on your own! We’ve created a Potty Training Data Sheet that you can use to easily track and spot patterns. It’s available for purchase here and will walk you through exactly what to look for.
You’re doing an amazing job — and remember, every small step is a big win!
Stay tuned for our next blog where we’ll share how to build a toileting schedule based on your child’s data!
