Empowering Your Journey: A Toilet Training Workshop for Parents of Children with Developmental Delays
Bridging the Gap successfully hosted an online toilet training workshop designed specifically for parents and caregivers of children with developmental delays. The session, conducted via Zoom, was facilitated by our experienced in-house Occupational Therapist, Bernice Liang, who guided families through practical strategies and evidence-based approaches to support successful toileting at home.
The workshop aimed to address the unique challenges many families face when introducing toilet training to children. Recognizing that every child progresses at their own pace, the session focused on creating a positive, supportive, and individualized plan that respects each child’s abilities and learning style.
Throughout the interactive presentation, Teacher Bernice discussed key readiness signs, sensory and motor considerations, communication supports, and how to build consistent routines. Parents were also introduced to a variety of visual aids, adaptive equipment, and positive behavior-support techniques that can make the process smoother and less stressful for both children and parents.
What is Toilet Training and Why is it important?
Toilet training is the process of training a child to use the toilet for bowel and bladder use. It is important for children to be exposed to toilet training as it supports school readiness and independence by learning self-care skills. When a child is toilet trained, it also allows access to wider range of academic setting, social opportunities, and family bonding in various locations. Lastly, it boosts social participation and confidence of the child.
Steps of Toilet Training
While toileting may seem straightforward to adults, it actually involves many small steps that young children are still learning. Parents and caregivers need to observe whether their child is equipped with the skills and readiness needed for this process. Fortunately, our Occupational Therapist, Teacher Bernice, provided a simple visual guide to help families understand these steps more clearly.
Skills Required for Toilet Training
1. Language and Communication
Communication is at the heart of successful toilet training. From understanding basic instructions to signaling when they need the toilet, children depend on both verbal and visual communication to navigate each step. Consistent language across caregivers also builds confidence and helps children learn the routine more smoothly.
- Expressive Communication
Ability to communicate that the diaper is wet or full, and need to use the toilet. Aside from verbal means, communication for children may also occur in different forms such as visual and gestures. This allows children to signal when they need to use the toilet. Being able to say “pee,” “poop,” “toilet,” or point to a picture reduces accidents and builds independence.
- Receptive Communication
Ability to understand multi-step directions. Children need to understand basic verbal cues such as “let’s go to the toilet,” “sit,” “wipe,” or “all done.” Without comprehension, following the toileting routine becomes much harder.
2. Cognitive Ability
Toilet training isn’t just a physical skill. Children also rely on their thinking and understanding. Cognitive skills help them notice when they need to use the toilet, remember the steps, and follow routines consistently. Without these foundational skills, the learning process can feel confusing or overwhelming.
Here are some key cognitive skills parents should look out for:
- Awareness and Control of Body Signal
- Recalling Sequence of Toileting Steps
- Understanding Use of Objects (toilet, flush, toilet paper, etc.)
- Attention and Focus
- Understanding Visual and Verbal Cues
3. Motor Skills
Motor development plays a key role in toilet training because the process involves a sequence of physical actions. Children must be able to walk or move to the toilet, sit securely, maintain balance, and use their hands to manage clothing and hygiene tasks. Strong motor skills help make the experience smoother, safer, and more independent.
Signs of Readiness
Recognizing signs of readiness is an essential step in beginning toilet training. Each child develops at their own pace, and noticing these cues helps parents and caregivers know when their child is prepared to learn new skills. Understanding readiness signals can make the process smoother, more positive, and more successful for everyone involved. Always remember, in toilet training, readiness matters more than age.
1. Child Factors
Readiness for toilet training is indicated when a child demonstrates the following signs.
- Can remain dry for 1-2 hours
- Has regular pattern of urinating and passing motion
- Able to follow 1-2 step instructions
- Imitate simple motor actions
- Showing awareness (e.g., Desire to be cleaned upon soiling)
2. Adult Factors
Toilet training involves more than just a child’s readiness. It is a collaborative process that strengthens the bond between parent and child. Alongside assessing the child’s readiness, it is equally important to consider the preparedness of parents and caregivers. Patience, consistent effort, and availability are essential, as toilet training introduces a completely new skill that requires guidance, support, and encouragement.
Steps of Toilet Training
1. Preparation
Have all the materials ready, including daily charts, visual aids, and rewards, to support your child throughout the training. Using visual aids and reward charts helps children feel supported and confident, turning toilet training into a fun and motivating activity, making it less stressful and intimidating.
2. Charting
Using daily charts helps parents and caregivers keep track of when a child uses the toilet and notice any patterns. This information can guide routines, celebrate small successes, and make the toilet training process smoother and more predictable for both child and caregiver. In the chart, make sure to record the following:
- Bladder/Bowel Elimination
- Time of each toilet activity
- For 1-2 weeks, identify patterns in bladder or bowel movement
- Optional, if the child initiated, was prompted, or had an accident
3. Identifying Patterns
Observing a child’s toileting patterns can help parents and caregivers time bathroom visits more effectively, while also highlighting possible concerns that may need attention, such as, overactive bladder or constipation.
4. Practice Sessions
- Trips to the Toilet
Make toileting a regular part of your child’s routine. Begin with intervals of about one hour, and use visual supports or rewards if they help keep your child motivated.
- Sitting Practice
Have the child sit on toilet for 5 seconds, it is not necessary that they urinate or have bowel movements. After 5 seconds, praise the child, “good sitting on toilet!” or give rewards immediately. Slowly increase sitting duration to 2 minutes. Sitting practice helps the child establish safety and balance during toilet training.
Here are some tools that parents and caregivers may use to make sitting on the toilet bowl more comfortable for the child:
5. Completing Toileting Routine
Completing a toileting routine involves guiding a child through each step, from going to the bathroom to finishing all hygiene tasks. Teaching this sequence helps build independence and makes the entire process more predictable and manageable. However, not every trip to the toilet will result in success. It’s important to acknowledge and praise the child’s effort, reinforcing that trying is already a meaningful step forward.
Toileting accidents are completely normal and part of the learning journey. Try not to scold or punish your child when these surprises happen. Instead, offer comfort with phrases like, “It’s okay, we’ll try again.” Clean up the mess calmly or let them help with cleaning up. This gentle involvement can teach responsibility and help them understand how to avoid accidents in the future without adding any pressure or stress. Children learns best through compliments and rewards.
Common Challenges
Every child learns at their own pace, and it’s completely normal to encounter a few bumps along the way during toilet training. Understanding common challenges can help parents and caregivers feel more prepared and respond with patience, reassurance, and confidence.
1. Sensory Challengers
- Over-Responsive – Refuses to sit on toilet bowl, refuses to enter toilet with hand dryer, refuses to step on wet floors or floor mats at the toilet entrance.
- Under-Responsive – No signs of discomfort when diaper is full, unable to sense when bladder is full, undesired behaviours such as repeated flushing or playing with urine or poo.
2. Transitioning Out From Diaper Routines
If your child goes to a corner to poop in their diaper or very resistant to pass motion if not given a diaper, gradually decrease diaper use and encourage them to use the toilet instead. Help them understand that the toilet is the right place for bowel movements.
3. Recurrence
In toilet training, recurrence refers to the return of toileting accidents or previously resolved challenges after a child has already shown progress or consistent success. Some possible reasons are: change in caregivers, routine or diet, recent incidents or trauma (e.g., loud hand dryers, accidental instability while sitting on toilet), and medications.
When recurrence happens, stay consistent with the strategies that worked before. Think of it as a gentle refresher course. Calmly guide and remind your child that it is still safe and okay to use the toilet. Avoid scolding, and offer reassurance instead, helping them regain confidence at their own pace.
4. Social, Emotional, Physiological Challenges
Toilet training can bring its own set of social, emotional, and physiological challenges. Understanding these helps parents respond with patience and support.
5. Staying Dry at Night
Most children are not able to stay dry through the night until around age five or older. For those under five, this is often due to small bladder size, limited muscle control, or deep sleep that prevents them from noticing a full bladder. If a child wets the bed several times a week, it may indicate that they are not yet developmentally ready for nighttime dryness. It’s recommended to wait at least six months after the child is fully potty trained during the day and consistently wakes up dry for several consecutive nights before focusing on nighttime training.
Toilet training is a significant milestone, and while it can come with challenges, every small step your child takes is a meaningful achievement. With patience, consistency, and the right strategies, parents and caregivers can create a supportive environment where children feel confident, capable, and motivated to succeed. Remember, progress may be gradual, and setbacks are a normal part of learning, but every effort counts. By celebrating successes, providing gentle guidance during accidents, and responding with encouragement, families can turn toilet training into an opportunity for growth, independence, and stronger parent-child bonds.
At Bridging the Gap, we are proud to support parents and caregivers in this journey, providing practical tools, expert guidance, and reassurance that no family navigates toilet training alone. Every child has the potential to thrive, and with patience, love, and consistency, the journey can be empowering, positive, and even enjoyable for the whole family.
