- Leo Kron: Welcome to the Parents Guide! Hello, I am Dr. Leo Kron! A pediatrician of the New York Children's Hospital. I hope you, and your child enjoy watching this video together. Now, The next section of this video will be for you, The parents. I know with my work with small children, and their parents, as well as my own experience as a parent that things don't go so smoothly. Although most children are born with natural skills and equipment they'll eventually learn how to use the potty. The one thing they are not born with. Unfortunately for us is a natural desire to use the potty in the way we liked them too. In fact, small children will just as well go whenever or whatever they would like.
- Announcer: The Once Upon a Potty video is based on the popular potty training book of the same name by Alona Frankel. It is also available with a doll with their own potty. All these items are available in book stores, and toy stores nationwide.
- Mother: [In the girl's version] Now, whenever Prudence has the feeling that poo poo is ready to come out, she tells us that she has to go. So she runs to her potty and sits down on it. Prudence remembers that it takes time for poo poo to come out. Just like it takes time to learn to use the potty.
- Mother: [In the girls version] I take away her diaper with wee wee and poo poo, and I leave her with a nice clean diaper.
- Mother: [In the boy's version] I take away his diaper with wee wee and poo poo, and I leave him with a nice clean diaper.
- Leo Kron: Once you and your child are prepared and ready, go ahead. Unless there's something else going on that makes it a bad time. Examples of this whether your child or the member of the family is ill, whether you are moving around or traveling, or when the new sibling has arrived. As you may well know children at this age are quite fond of saying no to their parents. This is a normal healthy part of their development. Does go on phases, so try to take a time when your child is more agreeable.
- Leo Kron: So there's a lot to learn. And it's your job as the parents to bring your child around in your way of seeing things. In this, you have on your side, a strong desire to please you, strong wishes to be more grown up, and a love of imitation. These are powerful motivators.
- Leo Kron: We want to teach our children of course without pestering them, to let us know when they have to use the potty. I think you'll see that at first your child won't be able to tell you until after it's too late. Then while they're actually going, and finally well beforehand, so you can get them to the potty on time. Children learn to imitation. I think it's a good idea for you to introduce your young child to the toilet and how it's used. At the same time, your child should get to know this potty, experiment with it, and get comfortable with it. Children's books and this video will help your child learn what's expected of him, and that all children can learn to do these things.
- Leo Kron: The first question that most parents would ask is at what age should we start teaching our child to use the potty. Most experts in child development would agree that this is not before the 2nd birthday at their earliest and later in many children.
- Leo Kron: Undoubtedly, you'll hear lots of stories of children being trained much earlier. But don't be pressured. This may be before your child is ready to master the physical emotional and mental skills necessary for an easy successful outcome. Keep in mind that each child and parent is special and unique in the time and way that is right for them. Even siblings are different from each other. Girls tend to be earlier than boys and very active boys later than others. All of this is normal. It's better to be wrong and late than to be too early and expect something of your child that's just not possible. Some children are not ready until after their 3rd birthday. This is not a reflection on their intelligence or character. Go on yours. Although accidents and setbacks will undoubtedly occur throughout all of childhood. I can assure you that your child will not be in diapers at the time of college graduation, or even at the beginning of elementary school.
- Leo Kron: Now even before it's time to start using the potty, there's a lot that you and your child can learn of preparation. Much earlier, you can begin teaching your child the names of the parts of its body, and how they're used just as you saw it on the video. Also, teach your child your name for poo poo and wee wee.
- Leo Kron: You should remember that it's not until about the age of one and a half that your child will actually be able to make those connections between the inner bodily feelings before going to the bathroom at the end result. If you want to help your child make those connections, you'll have to learn them first. Is there a pattern to when your child is about to move their bowel and bladder? Learn it. Are there signs in your child's body, face, and behavior that will tell you that a bowel movement is coming? If you can learn these connections, and you'll be able to teach your child the connection between these inner feelings at the end result.
- Leo Kron: If when you actually start to use the potty your child does not want to get on, don't force him. If your child wants to sit on the potty for a while and get off, that's fine let him. It's important for parents to recognize their child's own pace than adjust to it. There's lots of evidence to suggest that bullying, threatening, or forcing children does not in fact to get them trained any earlier. It can result an emotional problems, and difficulties in your relationship. It's important that your child feel that learning to use the potty is a proud accomplishment, and not something that is forced upon. If you think the time is right, but after about a week's encouragement, your child still shows no interest, may just not be ready yet. Why don't you take a break for about a month, and try it again then? After a couple of unsuccessful attempts with no interest on your child's part, I think it's time for you to consult with your pediatrician. The important landmark that you want to strive for is that wonderful moment of success when things end up just where they're supposed to be. Be sure to show your child how pleased and proud you are. Remind your child that by learning how to use the potty regularly, they'll be able to leave those wet and sticky diapers behind.