Toilet Training Adventures: Why Are We Stuck?

Embark on a transformative parenting journey with me, Jenefer Neale, as we unlock the secret weapon for smoothing out your toddler's toilet training roadblocks—the powerful use of visual supports. Ever found yourself puzzled by your toddler's potty progress, or lack thereof? Our latest episode of Toddler Troubleshooter dives into the stall-outs many parents dread and provides an arsenal of practical tools and the incredible Sage Sprout's strategy to help your little one navigate the bathroom like a champ. Visual aids aren't just pictures; they're clear, concise roadmaps that speak louder than words to our developing tots.

Wave goodbye to toilet training woes and hello to wins with easy-to-use templates and real-life scenarios that showcase the magic of visuals. In this discussion, I don't just tell you about the benefits—I give you the how-to's to implement visual schedules and first-then cards, ensuring both you and your toddler stay on track. Whether it's turning toilet paper spinning sessions into successful potty breaks or transforming tantrums into triumphs, my two decades of experience are wrapped up in this essential episode. So, plug in those headphones and let's make parenting toddlers not just manageable, but downright delightful.

Transcript

Jenefer: 0:07

Welcome to the Toddler Troubleshooter. Hello Sage Sprout's parents. I'm your host, Jenefer. As a parent of a toddler and with over 20 years of experience working with young children, I'm excited to share my tools for troubleshooting your toddler. In each brief podcast, we'll explore the different challenges that arise in toddlerhood and I'll provide you detailed troubleshooting strategies Drawing from my extensive background. You'll not only gain practical tools, but you'll also discover how to make this journey enjoyable for both you and your little one. Toddlers are an adventure. From toilet training to transitions, our little ones love to take charge. I will arm you with the Sage Grout strategy to troubleshoot and modify your approach as challenges arise. So if you're ready to troubleshoot your toddler and transform toddlerhood into a positive and manageable experience, let's get started. Hello fellow parents, welcome back to another episode of Toilet Training Adventures. I'm your host, Jenefer Neal.

Jenefer: 1:10

Have you ever wondered why your toddler seems to be stuck and progress is just a bit too slow? In today's episode, we're looking at solving this with the power of visuals. Throughout this episode, keep in mind the central role visuals play in helping communicate a clear and consistent message to your toddler. If you're in the midst of toilet training and things were going well, but now you feel you've stalled out. Your toddler is just waiting for you to do everything. Or, when they are sitting on the toilet, they are more interested in spinning the toilet paper roll than releasing their pee. Then this episode is for you. Today, we're unlocking a secret weapon that can turn your toilet training journey into a success story. Today's tip adding in visual supports.

Jenefer: 1:55

Now, before we dive deeper, let's set the stage for why visuals matter. Toddlers are at a stage where their language abilities are still developing. Combining simple language with visual cues creates a clearer understanding of expectations. It's like providing them with a roadmap for success. In a recent study on the effectiveness of using visuals to teach new skills, it was found that utilizing visuals positively impacted all learners. This aligns perfectly with my own experience over the past 20 years working with young kids, where I've seen how pictures and lists expedite learning. Let's not just consider this as a parenting hack, but a proven method to enhance the toilet training experience. Now let me share a real life scenario that perfectly illustrates the impact of visuals.

Jenefer: 2:42

I once worked with a little girl who was working on toilet training with her parents for months. She would happily walk to the bathroom, sit on the toilet, she would even wipe. When she finished this routine, she would try to get off the toilet and immediately start asking for candy. Her parents were at a loss and didn't know what to do. If they didn't give her candy, she would cry in tantrum. They didn't want to lose their momentum of having her transition so easily, but they didn't know how to get her to actually pee. She thought she knew the routine, but was missing a crucial step Actually peeing. This is where visuals became invaluable. By incorporating a video model and a still image of a girl peeing, we could effectively communicate and reinforce the missing element, ensuring a complete understanding. The tool we used is called a first then card. It's a straightforward yet potent tool featuring two spaces labeled, first showing the girl peeing and then highlighting her chosen treat. This card acts as a roadmap for your toddler, ensuring the process is not only clear but also adds an element of excitement.

Jenefer: 3:47

Visuals are not just helpful. They're essential reminders, providing tangible ways for learners to remember new skills. Think of it as giving your child something to file into their mental catalogue when words alone might not stick. Now let's talk about incorporating a visual routine into your day, a visual roadmap, if you will. One idea is to use a visual schedule to show when it's time to try using the toilet. This routine not only establishes clear expectations, but also gives your toddler a sense of control and predictability. I find the visual routines keep me on track as well. You can make it very simple and just do the major events like meals and rest times, interspersing toilet breaks at consistent intervals.

Jenefer: 4:31

I have included some awesome templates and examples of visuals you can use on my website, sagesproutsparentpodcom, but I will quickly run through some ideas of different ways you can use visuals to enhance your toilet training experience. Number one use it to signal to your kiddo that it's time to go. A simple picture or even a clip art of the toilet works well for this. Number two visuals of different reinforcers you can use on a first-thin card. Number three visuals of peer poop actually going into the toilet. Number four visuals of the steps they need to take in the bathroom. This can start very simple with sitting on the toilet, or it can become more complex with how to remove their pants and even the discrete steps of washing hand. Number five displaying their successes with stars, stickers or even check marks on little picks of clean underwear. Number six visual schedule of the day so they know what to expect and when.

Jenefer: 5:27

As we wrap up today's episode, remember that visuals are a powerful tool in your toilet training toolkit. From simple pictures to detailed schedules, they provide a clear roadmap for your toddler. Check out our website for examples and more information SageSproutsParentPod. com. That's all for today's toilet training adventures. I'm Jennifer Neal, your host, and I'll catch you in the next episode. Happy toilet training everyone.

Jenefer: 6:00

Thanks for joining us on Toddler Troubleshooter. That's a wrap for today's episode. Thank you so much for tuning in and being part of our parenting community. If you found value in today's discussion, don't forget to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode. I'm Jenefer, a parent coach and fellow mom navigating the joys and trials of toddler life along with you. To hear more about my journey and get access to more tips and tricks, follow me on Instagram at SageSprouts underscore parent pod, or find us on Facebook at Sage Sprouts parent pod. Look forward to seeing you in the pod. Remember, parenting is a journey we navigate together and your support means the world to us. If you have any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes, feel free to reach out through social media or through our website, sagesproutsparentpod. com. Stay tuned for our next episode. Until then, take care, and may your parenting journey be filled with joy and laughter. See you next episode.