Potty Training Success: A Child with Special Needs

By Colleen Brunetti, MEd

We hear a lot of wonderful stories over on the Potty Time Facebook page. One in particular that stood out to me came from mom Denille, about her son Quinn (now 39 months).

My son is 37-months and loves Potty Time just as much as he has loved his entire Baby Signing Time and Signing Time DVDs. Although he is still scared to sit on the potty (he has Down syndrome and we do things on our own timetable), he seems excited about the new

Quinn at the beach

signs and is stringing them together to communicate in new ways. Today he signed “Body Amazing Time Thirsty” and then signed “drink milk please”. He signs “Potty, wipe, flush, wash” when someone else goes to the bathroom. Potty Time is helping him make more connections and communicate about his world- yet another step toward independence and potty training. Our path will no doubt be easier and filled with more fun and songs because of Potty Time. Thank you!! Continue reading

Community Questions

By Colleen Brunetti, MEd

Here’s another question/comment from our Facebook community:

“I don’t know what to do about the regression. It’s so frustrating.

Regression is frustrating, no doubt! Just when you think you’ve gotten somewhere with this whole potty training thing, your sweet little ones get another idea in their heads and it’s back to accidents, wet clothes, and maybe even diapers.

Continue reading

Keeping Little People Motivated to Potty Train

Using Non-Tangible Rewards

By Cynthia Noell

Many parents like to use stickers or candy as rewards, and if that works for your family, great. Others prefer non-tangible (sometimes called “intrinsic”) motivators: things that are not “stuff”. Perhaps a combination of the two will work as well. In this article, we’ll discuss some ideas for non-tangible rewards. Continue reading

When There’s a Will, There’s a Way

Adventures in Potty Training a Willful Child (Part one of a three part series)

By:  Kristy Simons, ECE

Monkey see, Monkey do

From early on, Evalyn took an interest in the potty time routines in our home. She was familiar with the signs of bathroom-related vocabulary thanks to the fact that we use American Sign Language in the house. So, she was taught and understood the terminology and was able to communicate it from infancy (6 months). Evalyn also had a wonderful role model in her older sister, Elizabeth. So, as the saying goes…monkey see monkey do. Continue reading

Using Signs in Potty Training

By Sue Rouillard, MEd

You’re almost there. You’ve been watching and your child is exhibiting many of the signs they are ready to begin potty training. You’re getting excited because you’re looking forward to no more diapers! Yeah!! Hold on a minute, it’s not usually that quick and easy. However, using signs along with training just might pick up the pace.

Rachel signs "Potty"

Potty Time host Rachel Coleman demonstrates the POTTY sign.

First, start using the sign for POTTY (sign the letter ‘T’ and shake it – see photo on right), every time you change the diaper. Toddlers love shaking that potty sign at you to tell you they’ve already wet. You can also use the “potty” sign when your toddler follows you into the bathroom and sees you go.

Next, think of the routine; how is this all going to go down? (no pun intended) Continue reading

Potty Training in Daycare

By Kristy Simons, ECE

Potty training in child carePotty training is a significant developmental step for your child, so it’s important that you and your current (or potential) child care providers are on the same page before potty training begins. Discussing the following aspects of potty training can help you clearly communicate your preferences and expectations– and help you determine if your provider’s approach to potty training will meet your child’s needs. Continue reading

Potty Training 101

By Colleen Brunetti, MEd

Potty training can be a little bit of trial and error. One method may work for one child and not for another. That’s why we created the Potty Time program to support whatever method you use. It is so easy to use on the My Signing Time app – on the go watching for anywhere in your home or away.

In this list of tips, our wonderful Signing Time fans share their thoughts on what worked best for them. Continue reading