Potty training requires both emotional readiness and the physical ability to control bladder and bowel muscles. Children reach these developmental stages at different times. Many children express readiness to start toilet training during the toddler years, between 22 and 30 months of age; although parents should consider this only a rough guide.
Watch for the following signs of readiness:
The ability to follow simple directions and mastery of basic motor skills, such as sitting and standing up, climbing and removing clothing, is also necessary before your child will be able to toilet independently. Most children achieve physical readiness before emotional readiness, and girls frequently reach developmental readiness before boys.
Trying to force potty training before your child is ready will only leave you both frustrated. If your child isn’t interested in potty training or loses interest before training is complete, step back and wait awhile before you try again. Click here for more tips on potty training toddlers.