When the age is right, you’d expect your child to be able to use the toilet independently.
But do you know there are a set of toileting skills that your child must learn first to use the toilet properly and safely?
Here are the 6 necessary toileting skills that your child need to master to be able to use the toilet independently:
1. Ability to tell “when it’s time to go”
The first toileting skill your kid must learn is to know when to ‘pee’ or ‘poo’ and know they need to do it in the toilet, not in diapers.
Learning this skill is crucial because it is the most basic toileting skill required for successful toilet training.
Some parents may have to invest more time and effort to make sure their child can master this one.
Click here to learn how to teach your child to stop using diapers and learn to use the toilet.
2. Ability to pull down pants and pull them up again afterward
Next, your child must know how to pull down their pants and pull them up again afterward properly.
This is important to ensure they don’t accidentally get their pants wet or dirty.
Click here to learn more about how to teach your child to manage their own pants during toilet training.
3. Ability to get on and off the toilet seat
To use the toilet independently, your child must be able to safely get on and off the toilet.
If the regular toilet seat is too large for your child, consider using a child-sized seat so your child can’t fall into the toilet.
For convenience, you can use a dual toilet seat cover to make it easier for your child during toilet training.
If you live in Malaysia, click here for the Top 5 child & adult dual toilet seat covers for just under RM 100.
On the other hand, if the toilet seat is too high for your child, consider using a step stool to support their feet so they do not hang.
This also helps your child sit in a good body position while using the toilet.
Find out the best toilet step stools for toilet training by clicking here.
4. Ability to wash or wipe self cleanly
Without a doubt, bottom washing/ bottom wiping is probably the hardest toileting skill for your child to learn and master.
Although it may take your child some time to learn how to do it properly and cleanly, with consistent training, they can eventually master it.
Click here to learn more about how to teach your child to wipe their bottom during toilet training.
5. Ability to flush the toilet
Although this one might sound too easy, flushing the toilet is part of the skill your child must learn and practice to create a good toileting habit.
6. Ability to wash and dry hands after finishing
Last but not least, your child must be able to wash their hand cleanly and dry their hand after finishing using the toilet.
Just like flushing the toilet, properly washing and drying hands is a toileting skill your child must learn and practice for hygiene and to create a good toileting habit.
Click here to learn more about the proper handwashing steps that you should teach your child during toilet training.
Conclusion
Your child can develop the necessary toileting skills with consistent practice and repetition in toilet training.
After mastering these 6 necessary toileting skills, your child should be able to use the toilet independently.
Suppose you’re wondering at what age you should expect your child to be able to use the toilet independently. In that case, you should check out this article where I wrote about that particular topic.
I hope this article is helpful to you, and if you like it, you may check out my other articles from this blog. Thanks for visiting my blog!
