The potty training readiness quiz

Potty training is easier and happens faster if your child is truly ready in all three areas: physical, cognitive and social. But the big question is: how do you know when your child is ready? If you have never travelled this road before, you likely don’t even know what signs to look for. Take this quiz to find out where your child is on the readiness spectrum.

1. I can tell by watching that my child is wetting or filling his diaper:

a.         Never.
b.         Sometimes.
c.         Usually.

2. My toddler's diaper needs to be changed:

a.         Frequently, every hour or two.
b.         It varies.
c.         Every two to three hours - sometimes less frequently.

3. My child understands the meaning of wet, dry, clean, wash, sit, and go:

a.         No.
b.         Some of them.
c.         Yes.

4. When my child communicates her needs, she:

a.         Says or signs a few basic words and I guess the rest.
b.         Gets her essential points across to me.
c.         Has a good vocabulary and talks to me in sentences.

5. If I give my child a simple direction, such as, ‘put this in the toy box,’ she:

a.         Doesn't understand or doesn't follow directions.
b.         Will do it if I coach or help her.
c.         Understands me and does it.

6. My child can take his pants off and put them on:

a.         No.
b.         With help he can.
c.         Yes.

7. When I read a book to my child, he:

a.         He ignores me.
b.         Sometimes listens, sometimes wanders off.
c.         Sits, listens and enjoys the story.

8. My toddler wants to do things ‘all by myself’:

a.         Never.
b.         Sometimes.
c.         All the time!    

9. I think that it's the right time to begin potty training:

a.         No.
b.         I'm undecided.
c.         Yes.

Total the number of responses for each letter:
a.         __________
b.         __________
c.         __________

Most answers are a: Wait.

Your little one doesn't seem to be ready just yet. Test again in a month or two.

Most answers are b: Time for pre-potty training--get ready!

Your child is not quite ready for active training, but you can take many steps to prepare your toddler for the future. Gradual introduction of terms and ideas will make potty training easier when the time comes.

Most answers are c: Your toddler is ready to use the potty!

It's time to start your potty training adventure. Good luck, and have fun!

Are you between two scores?

Just like any parenting situation, there are choices to make. If your child is hovering between two categories, it's time to put your intuition to good use. Your knowledge of your own child can direct you toward the right plan of action.
 
Excerpted with permission by McGraw-Hill Publishing from The No-Cry Potty Training Solution (McGraw-Hill 2006) by Elizabeth Pantley.

Useful books for the potty library

Have you seen my potty? by Mij Kelly and Mary McQuillan, Hodder Children’s books, $16.99

Suzy Sue has lost her potty and desperately needs to use it. Meantime the farm animals have discovered a useful find  - a poo-pot - and loudly sing its praises to each other, all the while not realising what a potty is, or the whereabouts of Suzy’s!

Peek-a-poo what’s in your nappy? Guido van Genechten, Bloomsbury $15.99

More animals – this time Mouse wants to know all about what’s in the nappies of his animal friends! By the time you’ve finished this story, you and your toddler will know more about animal poos than you might ever want to know...and how to count them!

And the classic:

The little princess: I want my potty, by Tony Ross, Harper Collins Australia $14.99

A goody two-shoes the little process is not! She does things her way and on her own terms. So when it comes to ditching the nappies in favour of the potty – while she’s decided that nappies are ‘yeuch’ she’s not at all sure that the potty is any better...

If you would like to comment on this article or discuss this topic with other parents, go to our forum now!

This article was first published in the Spring 2009 edition of Australian Family Magazine.