Media Release:

Toot'nTinkle toilet training tips

Toilet training is an enormous learning experience and one of the most significant milestones your child will achieve. Therefore it is critical that you approach this task with a positive frame of mind and a great deal of patience.

How long will it take?
Parents are often eager to know how long the toilet training process will take but this is difficult to estimate. Some children are dry a very short time after coming out of nappies; others take months. Basically, the earlier you start toilet training a child, the longer it will take.

The approach used also has a considerable bearing on the duration. Toot'nTinkle aims to encourage children to feel good about themselves and their efforts, and focuses on positive reinforcement methods and rewards. It also creates a fun, stress-free environment for the child, which can significantly reduce their time training.

What can I do to help prepare my child?
Spending a week or so preparing yourself and your children for toilet training provides a sound foundation for the experience and make it much easier for everyone involved. Some suggestions for preparation include:

• Attract the child's attention and plant some positive seeds about toilet training - "Won't it be great when you can use the toilet like a big boy or big girl?"
• Think about clothing - make sure your child is dressed in appropriate clothing. Avoid belts, overalls, very heavy or stiff jeans or pants.
• Let your child get acquainted with the toilet - allow them to watch siblings and parents, ask questions, and learn. Encourage them to sit on the toilet and put their teddy or doll on the toilet to 'do a wee'.
• Remember their diet - give your child food with lots of fibre (fruit and vegetables) and water to assist them going to the toilet.

What could interfere with my child's toilet training?
Toilet training requires a great deal of concentration of a child. In a day care situation, make sure you inform staff if there are any circumstances that may interfere with the process. For example: the arrival of a new baby, moving house, severe illness of a close family member or following the loss of a family member. You also need to make sure that your child is physically well and not recovering from any major loss.

How can I complement the Toot'nTinkle Toilet Training System?
Your attitude and language needs to align to the gentle, positive approach used in the Toot'nTinkle system. It will help if you start to think about toilet training as an adventure rather than a chore or hurdle to be overcome. Children are adept at picking up on attitudes and turning them into reality. If you think toilet training is going to be a chore, the child will probably make it one.

Negative words and phrases such as dirty, yucky and naughty should be avoided. It is terribly confusing for a child who has been wearing nappies for two years to suddenly be told what they've been doing is wrong and dirty. Parents and caregivers should try to make children feel positive about themselves and their efforts.

Toot'nTinkle motivates children and encourages repeat behaviour through a variety of recognition and rewards. You need to show interest in your child's achievements - inquire about their badges, review their progress sheets together each night, offer encouragement and make a fuss of their certificates. You may be asked to place a special Toot'nTinkle post card under you child's pillow for extra encouragement or one may arrive in the post!

What do I do if toilet training isn't working?
Parents and caregivers need to have realistic expectations about toilet training. Accidents do not mean that it isn't working; they are simply part of the learning process. Try to be patient and stay calm, not only for the child's sake but also your own. Getting upset and angry will only distress the child and draw the process out even longer. If you find that you are having trouble coping with accidents or very slow progress, discuss the situation with staff.

Occasionally, a child may appear ready to toilet train but soon after starting it becomes apparent that they are not emotionally ready. These children may refuse to sit on the toilet and even try to put nappies on themselves. No one can toilet train a child who is not ready. Attempting to do so is frustrating and counter productive. It is important to remember that incorrect management of this important phase can adversely affect a child's confidence, self esteem and future development.

The Toot'nTinkle "Ultimate Kit" is available from Big W stores nationally. Toot'nTinkle products are also sold separately at Toys R Us stores. Products are also available through the Toot'nTinkle website: www.tootntinkle.com.

For more information, please visit the Toot'nTinkle website at www.tootntinkle.com and view our Media Release and further information about Luke Berry, the developer of Toot'nTinkle.

Mum Zone Release Date: 2nd September 2008

Back to Media Releases