Author Archives: Rachel Coleman

Potty Training Al Fresco

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Adventures in Potty Training a Spirited Child

By Colleen Brunetti, MEd

I may be your resident Potty Time Specialist, but that sure doesn’t mean potty training came easy at our house. Quite the opposite, actually. Let’s just say it took so long that I had lots and lots and lots of time to learn a variety of methods.

Starting Preschool

You see, my son Aidan is what they call “spirited”, downright energetic and more than just a little strong-willed (gee whiz, I have no idea where he could have gotten all that from!)

Anyway, what was most challenging about training him is that life is super-duper exciting to him, and there’s just so much interesting playing and running and jumping to do. To be bothered by struggling with cumbersome clothes and to “stop and go” at all was a concept he struggled with… a lot. Continue reading →

Potty Training a Child With Special Needs

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By Dixie Willwerth, M.Ed

As a special education preschool teacher, parents often ask me for advice on how to potty train their children. While working with children who have a variety of needs over the years, I have picked up some good tips. Potty training a child with special needs is not all that different than potty training any other child. However, there are some important factors you’ll want to take into account while planning for and implementing potty training strategies for your child with special needs. Continue reading →

We Love Our Facebook Fans!

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Facebook is all lit up with early celebrations and success stories from Potty Time! See what some of our fans have to say…

My 22 month old has shown no interest in potty training so we haven’t pushed it AT ALL. I bought Potty Time as soon as it was out and my son has been watching it every day at least once, but usually closer to 3-5 times a day (what can I say…he likes Rachel). Well, in that short time, (what 10 days?) my son asked to sit on the potty yesterday and he went #2. Today he asked and he went #1. I’m sure you can imagine how astonished I am. (Terri R.)

Continue reading →

Using Signs in Potty Training

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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

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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 →

Top 10 Tips for Potty Training

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By Your Friendly Potty Time Contributors10 Tips for Potty Training

10) Don’t feel pressure from other parents or family members to train at a certain age: Rely more on cues from your child and your insight as their parent.

9) Learn where every restroom is in every store: You just never know when they’re going to have to go!

8) Always carry extra clothes in case of an accident: Do this for quite a while after training seems finished too. It’s not unusual to have an “oops” after a long time of staying dry.

7) Use lots of positive reinforcement and motivators: Find out what motivates your child: little candies, stickers, small toys, etc. Or, you may choose not to use tangible items, and just CELEBRATE! Likewise, taking your child to the store and letting them pick out some big-kid undies may be a great way to start building excitement.

6) Consider investing in a portable potty or potty seat cover:  A portable potty or seat cover makes the size of the seat much more child-friendly. You can place a self-contained unit around the house near your child, or even take something with you on trips and errands (which is likely to be much more clean than a public restroom!)

5) Realize that night training may take significantly longer, or just come later, than day trainings: Some night training pants or an absorbent pad under the sheet may help with sleepy accidents.

4) Be prepared for, and okay with, occasional set-backs: Due to changes in routine, family structure, or just child temperament, there may come a time when a little break from potty training is needed. This is perfectly okay – you can always start up again when things settle.

3) Be Consistent: Once you have decided to take the plunge into a potty training routine or ritual, maintaining that routine as consistently as possible is very important!

2) Keep your sense of humor: Accidents in embarrassing places and small voices suddenly shouting out loud potty-related words just might happen. And if you can’t laugh right in the moment, try to laugh about it a little later.

1) Most importantly, realize every child and family is different: Accepting differences in timing, methods, and even duration of potty trainings will reduce your stress tremendously!

What I Learned from Potty Training 11 Kids

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By Cynthia Noell

I am  the mother of 11 children. I gave birth to them all – about two years apart- which would mean I have spent about all of my adult life potty training a child. I’ve got ten down, with one sweet little boy left… and he’s finding his own adventure and testing my patience in his own way!

When I think of all the things we can learn from potty training, the most important is patience. Continue reading →

Rachel on the Making of Potty Time!

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Rachel Coleman, co-creator and star of the award winning Signing Time, recently wrote a blog post about what’s in Potty Time and why it only took her short 10 years to create it! Well, we are of course very thrilled that she did, and the approach she takes is supportive, child-centered, and flexible enough to fit any family’s potty training methods.

And while you read the fun back story to Potty Time, be sure to check out her hilarious outtakes! You can certainly see why she is star of stage and screen (and yes, she’s just as much fun, and just as petite, in person)!

Aaron Coleman, Rachel's husband, gets silly on the Potty Time set!

Click here to read Rachel’s blog post:
POTTY TRAINING WITH RACHEL AND SIGNING TIME!

 

Get the Potty Time App – it’s free!

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The Potty Time App gives you 8 new ways to add fun to potty training:

  1. Have Rachel call your child to say “Good job!” or “Try again – you can do it!”
  2. Read the e-book Hopkins Uses the Potty together.
  3. Watch a variety of Potty Time videos with your child.
  4. Play a fun Potty Time matching game.
  5. Chart your child’s progress with a virtual sticker chart.
  6. Print a chart to motivate your child at home.
  7. Print a certificate to celebrate your child’s success.
  8. Click through to brag about your child on the Potty Time Facebook page.

 

 

 

 

 

Click on your phone’s store to download the free App!