Potty learning- 3 Step: Lets go potty approach
ERIC – the Children’s Bladder and Bowel Charity
Do not wait for signs of readiness – (for additional needs also – may take longer) the longer in nappies the harder it will be for them to wee and poo anywhere else
- Children with an altered interoception may struggle with awareness and realising that they want to go (have you a wee and poo that needs to go in the toilet, help with touch to make connection)
- Children with altered proprioception/vestibular perception – may struggle with balance – ensure appropriate seat and well supported
- Adapt positive rewards to your own child’s needs
- Step 1 – Preparing to use the potty
- Step 2 – Practising potty skills
- Even from 6 months getting children prepared, part of their overall learning, from the time of sitting independently, through play (there are 40 different skills to learn!)
- Step 3 – Stopping using nappies (achieved by 30 months J)
Step 1 – preparing
- Start changing nappies etc in the bathroom/toilet –
- Can use a spare bath mat as a changing mat
- Start building up routine in terms of using visual cues /objects of reference– such as trousers/pants down, clean, pull up pants/trousers etc
- Build in hand washing into routine
- Encourage regular drinks water to develop bladder awareness and capacity – aim for 8 drinks of water rather than just having free access, ensure soft, regular poos
- Let them see you go to the loo
- Ensure no negative talk about smells/dirty etc
- Ensure that potty/toilet seat/foot stool in place
Step 2 – practice
- Spend 30 mins each day without a nappy
- From the time your child can safely sit up by themselves they can sit on a potty
- Good times to try shortly on waking, after meal times, any time you know your child needs to go (straining) work with the body
- Changing when standing up
- Words and signs help them communicate their needs to you
- At this stage they will still be wearing a nappy for most of the day
- Use a doll or teddy and tell a ‘social story’ when learning to potty
Step 3 – stopping nappies
- This is a big step, make sure it’s a good time for you and your child, avoid periods of big change or disruption ie moving nursery room, or new baby
- When the time is right tell your child we’re stopping nappies or time to say goodbye to nappies, from now on wee and poo in toilet
- Encourage boys to begin with sit down on potty/toilet to wee and poo to empty properly
- Be tuned in to your child’s cues then redirect to the potty or toilet to reinforce
- Rewards motivate their independence – lots of praise (stickers etc work initially but wear off) use favourite books /toys on potty to motivate, keep instructions clear, be motivational, stay calm J
Interoception and toilet training
- Teach your child how their body makes wee and poo and how it tells them when it needs to come out.
- Try not to ask if they need a wee or poo – ask instead do they have a wee or poo that needs to go into the toilet
- Use videos and pictures that are available to help support their learning
- Include body awareness to help children understand the messages from their bowel and bladder – practice on other parts of their body to get them to understand their body working
- Children with altered interoception are more at risk of constipation
Things to factor in if your child has additional needs
- It may take longer, so start introducing the idea earlier
- Children that struggle with their communication do better when introduced as part of a routine – use visual cues
- Children with an altered interoception may struggle with awareness and realising that they want to go
- Children with altered proprioception/vestibular perception may struggle with balance – ensure you use an appropriate seat and they are well supported
- Adapt positive rewards to your own child’s needs
Useful tips
- Be consistent
- Ignore accidents
- Be aware that the novelty may wear off after few weeks and you may notice regression
- Positive consequence – what works for your child?
- Wear pants/knickers rather than pull ups
- When you go out, leave pants/knickers on and put nappy/pull up on top but be careful to monitor to avoid risk of soreness
- Be mindful of constipation
- Avoid blackcurrant juices
Helpful resources
Potty training: how to start & best age to potty train
Toileting – a guide for parents and carers
Children’s Centres
- Stay and Plays – All children welcome
- Little Stars – Most children’s centres offer additional groups just for children with additional needs – no diagnosis necessary
- Groups – SALT drop in – Contact local centre for date when attending
- Sensory Rooms – Available free of charge
- SPACE – help support parents and children with emotions
Cheshire East Start for Life SEND team
We need to complete a knowledge and agreement to submit a SEND notification – this helps Cheshire East to ascertain what level of support your child can have via discussion at a monthly forum.
Transition to nursery – 2-year funding
You may qualify for 15 hours of childcare from the team after your child turns two. People on certain income benefits qualify, such as income support, job seekers allowance, child tax credits (if below certain income thresholds), and disability living allowance. You may have to pay for extras such as nappies, meals, outings etc.
Contact: 0300 123 5033
National Guidance
Department of Education website – SEND Code of Practice 0-25 years
Cheshire East Local SEND offer and services
Local offer for children with SEN and disabilities – Cheshire East Council website
Cheshire East Early Start SEND team under restructure
SEND Strategy 2021-2024 Cheshire East Council website
Cheshire East Information and Advice Service (CEIAS)
At CEIAS we offer free confidential support and information to children and young people with SEND, their parents and/or their carers. We aim to ensure that you feel more informed and can be fully involved in decisions relating to special educational needs provision
Email – [email protected] Tel no: 0300 123 5166
Cheshire East Parent Carer Forum
Cheshire East Parent carer forum is a group of parents and carers of disabled children and young people. Our aim is to make sure the services in Cheshire East meet the needs of disabled children / young people and their families.
Email: [email protected]
Cheshire East children with Disability Short Breaks Team
Short breaks come in all shapes and sizes and each one can last from just a few hours to a few days – from daytime and evenings to weekend and overnight activities. They provide disabled children and young people with:
- positive and safe things to do and places to go.
- the opportunity to spend time with friends
- the opportunity to develop personally and socially, and reduce isolation
They can take place in a community setting, the child’s own home, the home of an approved carer or in another setting.
They provide parents and families of disabled children and young people with a necessary and valuable break from their caring responsibilities.
Early Help Individual Payments (EHIPs)
EHIPs form part of the Local Authorities Short Break Support for Parents and Carers of Disabled Children. The first level of the Short Break Support are the commissioned services that provide activities and clubs.
For any further support to help families with a short break from their caring responsibilities, including EHIPs and direct payments, an assessment will be carried out by the Short Breaks Team.
Contact: 01625 378 083, email: [email protected]
Cheshire East All Ages Carers Hub
Parents and siblings of children with additional needs need acknowledgement and support too.
The Hub offer breaks, activities, peer support etc.
Cheshire East Carers Hub website
DLA – Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who: is under 16, has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability. They will need to meet all the eligibility requirements. Mobility – Usually from age three if significant complex needs (www.gov.uk)
Siblings of children with additional needs need acknowledgement and support too
Offer breaks, activities, peer support etc
Other commissioned support groups/services for additional needs
Cheshire Autism Practical Support
Rubys Fund website | Helping Special Families Shine
Who is in your team
Keep a list of all involved with your child, with names and roles, and include contact details where possible. Keep a file with all your letters in, make a note of when referrals were made/applications made, keep a list of appointments.
Find Your Tribe
Look after you in order to care for others. Do not forget to look after your own health, including your mental health. Surround yourself with people who understand and support you.
Other useful links
Contact – for families with disabled children
Disability rights
Cheshire East Parent Carer Forum
SEN and disability in the early years (cheshireeast.gov.uk)
Cheshire Young Carers website
