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A Potty Training Schedule for a Two Year Old

A monumental first in a child's life, potty training can be both a rewarding and frustrating experience for parent and child. The frustration, in the long run, is worth it, especially if a schedule is started at the appropriate time. While the ideal time for potty training varies for each child, most children show signs of potty readiness around the age of 2 years old.

  1. When to Start

    • Signs of potty readiness include interest in the toilet, the capability to follow directions, discomfort in dirty diapers and the ability to pull her pants up and down. If your 2-year-old child, on the other hand, doesn't show signs of readiness or if she has experienced a major change, consider postponing potty training. If you begin training too early, potty training progress will take longer.

    Preparation

    • Signs of potty readiness include: interest in the toilet, the capability to follow directions, discomfort in dirty diapers and the ability to pull her pants up and down. If your 2-year-old child, on the other hand, doesn't show signs of readiness or if she has experienced a major change, consider postponing potty training. If you begin training too early, potty training progress will take longer.

    Daily Schedule

    • Once your 2-year-old child remains dry for up to two hours and develops predictable bowel movements, she is ready to begin learning how to use the potty. During the day, schedule bathroom trips every one to two hours. Seat her without a diaper for two to three minutes. MayoClinic.com recommends that boys should first learn how to urinate sitting down and then progress to urinating while standing up after mastering bowel training.

    Progression Schedule

    • Graduate from the diaper to training pants or underwear when your child experiences several weeks of successful potty trips. Make this experience an enjoyable one. Throw a graduation celebration. Eventually, your child will remember and use the potty on his own. He will also experience longer time spans without potty accidents.

    Considerations

    • Be patient. Your 2-year-old will experience some setbacks. It may take up to eight months for a child to be completely toilet trained. At 2 years old, your child may not learn how to control bladder movement at night. It can take years for a child to master nighttime control. In the meantime, use plastic sheeting or training pants at night, if nighttime control is a problem. If your toddler remains resistant to potty training, take a potty hiatus. Resume potty training a few months later when the child is more willing and less defiant.

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