Potty Training and Daycare: Here’s What Parents Need to Know
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Many parents worry that their child will be the only one in daycare who isn’t potty trained.
Or, they may wonder if daycare is even the right place to start potty training.
After all, it’s not like you can take a break from work to run home and change a diaper!
Do Daycares Help with Potty Training My Kid?
Daycares are actually a great place to start potty training. Why? Because there are other children around who are going through the same thing. This peer pressure can be a powerful motivator for kids to want to use the potty.
In addition, most daycares have a set schedule for bathroom breaks. This helps children learn when it’s time to go, even if they don’t feel the urge.
How to Potty Train a Child in Daycare
1. Talk to Your Child’s Teacher
Before you begin potty training, it’s important to talk to your child’s teacher or daycare provider.
They will be able to give you some insight into your child’s daily routine and let you know if there are any specific times that would be best for potty training.
2. Make a Plan
Once you’ve talked to your child’s teacher, it’s time to make a plan. Decide which potty training method you’ll use and what supplies you’ll need.
It’s also important to decide how long you’re going to give yourself for this process. Remember, potty training is a process, not a race. It’s a marathon not a sprint!
3. Be Consistent
One of the most important things when potty training is consistency.
If you start the process and then stop for a week or two, it will only make things more difficult for both you and your child.
Try to stick with your potty training plan as much as possible and give yourself some grace when things don’t go as planned.
4. Reward Good Behavior
Another important thing to remember when potty training is that positive reinforcement goes a long way!
When your child uses the potty successfully, be sure to praise them and give them a small reward (like a sticker or their favorite treat).
This will help them associate using the potty with something positive and make them more likely to want to do it again in the future.
5. Have Patience
Last but not least, remember that potty training takes time and patience—lots of patience!
Don’t get discouraged if accidents happen or the process takes longer than you’d hoped. Just take a deep breath and remind yourself that this too shall pass!
What if My Child is Potty Trained At Home But Not At Daycare?
There are a few possible explanations for this phenomenon. First of all, it’s important to understand that potty training is a process, not an event.
Just because your child can use the toilet at home doesn’t mean they’re fully trained. There will be accidents—it’s just a fact of life.
That’s why it’s important to have patience and understanding when your child has an accident at daycare. They’re still learning, after all.
It’s also possible that your child is experiencing some anxiety about being away from home and their usual routine.
This is perfectly normal—and it’s something that you can help them with. Talk to your child’s daycare provider about ways to help them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings.
Perhaps there is another child at the daycare who can serve as a “buddy” for your child during potty training.
Or maybe the daycare has some special activities or books that they use to help ease the transition for new children. Whatever the case may be, communication is key.
Finally, it’s possible that your child simply isn’t ready to be fully potty trained yet—and that’s OK! Every child is different, and there’s no shame in taking a step back if necessary.
Talk to your child’s doctor or pediatrician about whether or not you should continue with potty training or take a break for a little while.
They will be able to give you some specific guidance based on your child’s individual needs.
Key Takeaways
Potty training can be a long and often difficult process—but it’s so worth it when your child finally learns how to use the toilet like a big kid!
However, sometimes even after all that hard work, things can still go wrong.
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