Potty Training Charts

Choosing Potty Training Charts

When you begin introducing your toddler to the art of potty training, you need to get her as involved as possible. This can include choosing new "big girl panties" and finding a good reward system. Stickers are great rewards for little ones. Let your child visit the local dollar or department store with you, and ask her to pick out her favorite stickers.

Once you and she have agreed upon the best stickers, it is time to search for potty training charts. You can create one of your own or download one from the Internet. The more colorful and inviting her chart is, the more eager she will be to fill it up!

Designing Potty Training Charts

Creating potty training charts is easy. Of course, you can do this on the computer if you like, but all you really need is some computer or construction paper, a ruler, and some markers. Since your child will hopefully be using the potty several times each day, you'll need to leave enough space to document each time she goes to the bathroom each day.

Some parents like to make a row of the days of the week and out beside each day draw several squares, triangles, or circles for each time their child uses the potty. Plan on designating about ten spaces for each day. If you are designing this chart on the computer, you can print out several copies for the next few weeks.

Using the Reward System

Once you and your child have created a chart, find a good place to put it in the bathroom. You might want to hang a small cork board on the wall and attach the charts along with extra stickers, so that they are easy to reach. Each time your child uses the potty, let him place a sticker in one of the designated spots on the potty training chart. Once he has accumulated five to seven days of stickers, you might want to give him an extra treat, such as a small, inexpensive toy, colors, a book, or an ice cream treat.

Certificate of Success

Finally, when your child has begun to successfully use the potty on a regular basis, it may be time to move away from the chart. You can designate that he has graduated from potty training by creating a great certificate. You can print one from the computer or buy an inexpensive certificate at a hobby or department store. Be sure you write his name in bold letters, and present his certificate to him proudly. You can even let him display it in his room for a while!