Potty Train the Fun Way With the Potty Tots!
February 9, 2009 by Caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for joining the potty party! The winners are Brooke and Jessica Price. Congratulations!
When I decided to start potty training my son, I knew that it was going to be difficult. I knew it was going to take time and patience and consistency. What I didn’t know is that it could be fun! Any “potty talk” I engaged in with other parents actually scared me. I thought…how am I going to do this? How are WE going to do this? While I was doing some research on potty training, I came across a relatively new potty training program called Potty Tots. Do you know what caught my attention…her tagline which is “We’ll show you how to go potty now!”
Potty Tots, which launched in August of 2008, was founded by Jill Leech out of necessity. In the midst of experiencing tremendous difficulty potty training her youngest daughter, she sought out a program that would show her daughter how to go potty, engage her in the process, and encourage her to be independent. At the time, a structured program built on the principles of positive reinforcement and independence did not exist. So she created an illustrated potty chart which included the steps of potty training and a picture of a little girl that looked like her daughter. I had the tremendous privilege of interviewing Jill and I’d like to thank her for the time she spent with me.
Interview:
1. There is a lot of discussion about time frame and readiness. Can you share a little bit about when a child is ready to start the process of potty training?
According to the AAP, it takes about six weeks, on average to potty train a child. It is not uncommon for the process to take as long as three months of daily encouragement from parents.
A child has to be ready physically (capable of holding and controlling urine and stool), cognitively, and emotionally. A child also has to be motivated to begin the process. While a child may show signs of readiness as early as 18 months of age, they may not be truly ready until 2 or even 3. Parents too, must be ready and realize that it will take some time. Parents should consider their schedules and think about what other things are going that may make it difficult to commit to the process.
From the site:
Signs that your child may be ready for potty training include the following:
- Staying dry at least two hours at a time during the day or after naps.
- Bowel movements become regular and predictable.
- Child seems uncomfortable with soiled diapers and wants to be changed.
- Child asks to wear regular underwear.
- Child asks to use the toilet or potty-chair.
2. What would you advise a parent to do if they’ve already started the potty training process, but their child starts to resist?
I would suggest that the process be postponed. Parents can always start at a later time. The more a child resists, the harder it will be. It’s important to pay attention to all of the signs of readiness because a child may be ready physically but not developmentally. One of the highlights of the Potty Tots program is that it encourages autonomy. Using the potty is the child’s idea and something he/she can do on his/her own. Children really benefit from the program because it emphasizes consistency and they are able to identify with the characters. Whether your child is afraid or embarrassed, he/she will be able to identify with one of the Potty Tots because they are also scared and/or embarrassed.
3. How should parents approach accidents?
Potty training is a learning process, just like any training that one endeavors. You, as the parent, are the coach. Rather than dwell on the “accident,” view it as a natural part of the process. Continue to provide encouragement.
4. Can you talk a little bit about why the Potty Tots Training Program is successful?
Children enjoy the program because it is fun and motivational. It also engages the senses through the visual and musical components. The program is successful because it’s based on a child’s need for independence. Our motto is “I can do it.” The program builds self-esteem and creates a sense of belonging. Children feel good about themselves because it’s fun and they’re engaging in something that they can do all by themselves. Learning how to use the potty is one of the first steps a child takes towards taking care of him/herself and success results in enhancing self-esteem.
5. The Potty Tots Training Program utilizes rewards. Can you talk a little bit about why rewards are important when potty training a child?
We all like to be rewarded for things that we do. When a child has a visual, tangible way to measure progress, it encourages independence and autonomy. Seeing their progress on a chart is a reward in and of itself. When you are potty training a child, particularly a younger child, rewards need to be frequent and consistent to support the learning process and enhance a child’s self-esteem. Rewards don’t have to be tangible. Praise is the number one reward that children crave. Hugs and kisses are other rewards that motivate and encourage children throughout the process. Eventually, using the potty will become a habit and rewards won’t be as important or even necessary.
A huge thank you to Jill for the time she spent speaking with me and sharing her incredible knowledge on the subject of potty training with all of us!
Here is a little more information about the Potty Tots Potty Training Program:
The Potty Tots Potty Training Program is a child-centered program that provides all of the resources necessary for successful potty training. It features an adorable group of ethnically diverse preschoolers who engage children by singing and dancing their way through the six steps of Potty Training. This highly interactive program addresses multiple learning styles, encouraging kids to participate and ultimately fostering confidence, self-esteem and independence. It provides everything you’ll need for a fun, stress-free potty training experience.
The potty training kit (which is available in both a boy and girl version) includes a storybook, an animated DVD, a step-by-step illustrated potty chart and a game. It retails for $19.95 and can be purchased directly from the site. When you purchase the kit, your child will receive a personalized letter addressed to them from the Potty Tots (how cool is that?). The program is fun and will engage and entertain your child. Your child will WANT to use the potty! Can I just tell you that after my son watched the DVD, he sat on the potty and said, “I did that.” (he had NEVER said that phrase before watching the DVD). Now…he didn’t use the potty that very first time but it showed me that he understood the basic concepts. I love how Jill breaks the process up into six sequential, manageable steps.
If you are in the process of potty training, I highly recommend you try this program. The site alone is a wealth of information including potty training tips and advice for parents, and coloring pages and interactive games for children. Don’t forget to print out a diploma for your child when they’ve completed the program.
Potty Tots recently engaged in the Babes in Toyland celebrity giveaway where they created a custom potty chart for celebrity tots like Suri Cruise and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. They created a likeness of each child in the “Potty Tots” style. How cute is that?
Jill has some amazing ventures she is about to embark on! In the spring, she will launch a potty training kit for preschools in her area. The kits will be geared towards teachers and will encourage consistency while parents work with their children at home. If you are fortunate enough to live in or near Temecula, check out her potty training classes!
Win It! Jill has graciously offered to give away a boy and a girl training kit! So that means 2 of you will get a chance to try out this amazing program. Head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment with how you think this program will benefit you and your child. Comments will close on February 23, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
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Looking for more giveaways?
Potty Training Series and Giveaways:
Let’s Get This Potty Party Started
Positive Reinforcement and Potty Training
Potty Training Accidents? We’ve Got Ya Covered!
Potty Train the Fun Way With the Potty Tots!
A Neat Solution for Potty Training on The Go
Sustainable (Potty) Training Pants by Seventh Generation
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I would want the boy kit!! My 2 year old son will soon be potty training! I’m learning so much from this Potty Party!!
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“When I hear, I forget,
When I see, I remember,
When I DO, I understand.”
I think that this kid helps kids truly understand potty training in a fun way! Thanks for the giveaway!
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Thanks for the entry
tonyamcrain [at] aol [dot] com
Thanks for the entry
tonyamcrain [at] aol [dot] com
Thanks for the entry
tonyamcrain [at] aol [dot] com
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Men’s Health Magazine (Sept. issue) recommends Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day: Proven Secrets of the Potty Pro by Teri Crane. My husband picked us up a copy after reading the article. IT REALLY WORKS!!
Everyone is talking about throwing a “potty party” to potty train a child. I was so desperate; I was willing to do anything. Her book outlines 10 themed parties. What kid doesn’t love to play and pretend? All my mommy friends have successfully potty trained their kids with her book too.
Honestly, when I first learned of this book, I thought NO WAY! Maybe this would work on a little girl, but NOT a BOSSY, 2-1/2 year old BOY. NO WAY! Guess what? It REALLY WORKED!!! Teri Crane SAVED MY SANITY!!! Her book was easy to read, funny and extremely helpful. I can’t thank Teri enough. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to EVERY parent. It will save you much grief and frustration. Potty training shouldn’t be difficult, we as parents make it difficult because we don’t know what to do. Teri teaches you. Buy the book, it’s the best money you will ever spend
Most amazingly, I had some questions, so I called the author, and she CALLED ME BACK!!
We ahve two children. Our oldest, Grant, just got potty trained.
But we had a hard time of it and it took a long time to get there.
Now it’s time to start with our daugher but she’s refusing already
to even try.
If this will help, I would appreciate it so much.
mogrill@comcast.net
Thanks for the contest.
superdavefive(at)yahoo(dot)com
thanks
Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Thanks!
ericbrooks75(at)yahoo(dot)com
thanks
jceko77@yahoo.com
Thanks for all the valuable info!
thanks
jceko77@yahoo.com
jceko77@yahoo.com
I think that this is an amazing program! I think it’ll definitely help teach my 21 month old hoe to use the potty! I want the GIRL set. Thanks
Great product.
Thanks!
yzgirl4[at]verizon[dot]net
yzgirl4[at]verizon[dot]net