How can you spark your child's interest?

The first step in potty training is when your child becomes curious and wants to learn more about it. It’s an important step that you shouldn’t skip. Your child will learn that older kids and grown-ups don’t wear diapers anymore, but underwear. And your child will begin to understand what the toilet is for.

Naturally curious

Most children between the ages of 1.5 and 3 are naturally curious. They want to explore the world! If you introduce them to something new in a playful way, they often really enjoy it. You can also help and encourage your child in this process. Talk about it, ask questions your child can understand, and make the topic something they can see, hear, and feel.

Here's what you can do:

• Go ahead and pick up a jar and put it in the living room. Look at it together, or place a stuffed animal or doll on top of it.
• Leave the diaper on your child.
• Let your little one play with a clean diaper. Use a stuffed animal or doll to put it on and take it off. Join in the fun and ask: “Did Bear poop? I can smell it!”
• Take your child to the bathroom and show them what there is to see and do there. Let your child flush the toilet. What do you hear? What do you see?
• Read books about potty training together. The library has many books on this topic for toddlers. Or the " Ready for Potty" book.
• Describe what your child has done in their diaper. Hey, look, I see a poop. Or: Your diaper is yellow. That’s because of your pee.
• You can choose to change your child while they’re standing up once they’re ready for it. This is a more active position. You can also change them in the bathroom. This helps your child get familiar with the toilet. Explain what it’s for.
• If you’re okay with it, you can take your child with you to the bathroom when you go. Kids often find this really interesting. Explain to your child and show them that older kids and adults don’t wear diapers anymore—they wear underwear.
• Are there any older brothers or sisters in the family? If so, ask them if it’s okay to show their underwear. Look, no more diapers—just underwear!
• You can flush the poop from the diaper down the toilet together. Bye-bye, poop! Tell it that it’s going to join the other poop in the ocean.

Start off in a playful way

Not sure if your child is ready? Start off in a playful way. Forcing your child won’t help. Keep it fun and lighthearted, and give lots of praise. Take your time, especially if your child is under 2 years old.