‘Becoming toilet trained is about learning a set of skills that can be taught.’ Institute of Health Visiting
Signs of child readiness can be unreliable
Early toilet training is often seen as an outdated practice. The more widely accepted approach of 'waiting for the child to be ready' has largely replaced it.
June Rogers MBE, Paediatric Continence Specialist, advocates a different approach. She comments, ‘Currently families are often advised to wait until their child is exhibiting certain readiness signs, although these are not clearly defined and there is no evidence base for them (Kearts et al 2012). This approach is not appropriate or helpful.’
Rogers argues that 'toilet training is a set of skills. All children should be proactively supported to learn those skills early in childhood'. This includes children with SEND. Bladder and Bowel UK agree and point out that many children, including those with SEND, may not show signs of being ready.
ERIC, the children’s bowel and bladder charity, advise that nearly all children are ready to start toilet training by the age of 18 months.
They add, ‘research shows it is better for your child’s bladder and bowel health to stop using nappies between 18 and 30 months’.
Key principles to support successful toilet training
The IHV says it is important to:
- recognise that each child is different- don't compare them
- be calm and patient
-not rush it
-realise that progress isn't linear
-establish consistency between the home and setting
Bladder and Bowel UK adds that good communication between parents and anyone else involved in the child’s care is important.
Tips for teaching the skills
- encourage the child to take an interest in the potty / toilet – try using books, stories and songs
-encourage the child to sit on the potty as part of their daily routine – time it for when they are most likely to need a wee or a poo, such as after a drink or meal
-look out for signs that the child is having a wee or poo: fidgeting, walking in a funny fashion
-increase the number of times they sit on the potty in a day and how long they sit for
-talk about the process, answering children’s questions
-swap nappies for trainer pants - these are easy to pull up and down. Unlike nappies, they feel wet – this will help the child begin to associate this with signals that they need to do a wee
-remind them to use the potty
Promoting Self-Care on the EEF Evidence store highlights, ‘Giving verbal instructions and demonstrating the steps for independently using the toilet or potty, usually using props such as dolls or puppets, was also considered important’.
Advice to parents
Parents often ask for guidance about toilet training. It is likely that much advice is based on waiting for signs that the child is ready. This is not in line with the most recent guidance and research, as discussed.
Early years settings need to consider the research carefully and agree on a programme for how to teach toilet skills. This will enable children starting in Reception to arrive with this key self-care skill.
Delayed toilet training and its impact on School Readiness
ERIC highlights, ‘Over the last century, the average age of children in the UK being toilet trained has moved from 12-18 months to an average of around 3 or 4 years today.’
In a survey of teachers and teaching assistants in Reception, Kindred Squared found that in 2023 around one third of children were not ready for school, one of the main challenges being the number of them not toilet trained.
Questions for reflection:
How will you apply this updated guidance within your setting? Do you need support from one of the organisations above?
How will you inform and engage parents about this advice? What strategies will you use to offer them support?