Three Ways to Be a Potty Training Model

At an early stage of readiness, (15.5 months like your daughter), modeling the behavior you're trying to teach is a good place to start. Modeling is a kind of method of training that teaches a child to imitate behavior by watching a role model. There are three types of modeling you can use to help your daughter get ready for potty training: physical modeling, book and video modeling, and doll modeling.

1) Physical modeling: Demonstrating the elimination process is one of the most effective ways to teach your child about using the potty. Regardless of whether a toddler is a girl or a boy, it will help them to see men and women, boys and girls using the toilet.

2) Book and Video Modeling: Books and videos are great teaching tools and a fun way to begin conversations with your child and her body, body functions, and using the toilet. The great thing about books and videos is that they illustrate the training process from beginning to end. My two favorites are The Gas We Pass by Shinta Cho (Kane/Miller) and Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi (Kane/Miller).

3) Doll Modeling: Use a wetting doll to help your child see how liquids become urine, that should be put in the potty. Hopefully by watching the wetting doll, your child's victory chant will become, "If she can do it, so can I."(With a little imagination and a jar of strained baby food prunes, your 'wetting doll' will become a 'pooping doll').

To learn more, check out my tips for being a potty supermodel.


For more potty training advice, check out:
Potty Training Tips from the Potty Pro, Teri Crane
Parent Discomfort with Potty Modeling
Pee and Poo Dolls

Talk to other potty training parents who are also in the pee-pee & poo-poo trenches on our Toddlers & Preschoolers Message Board!