L&L | SEPTEMBER 2019 | 49baby & toddler
9 TAKE HER WITH YOU
Your child will learn best by copying the people
around her. Encourage her to come with you when you
go to the toilet. Talk her through what you’re doing,
show her how much toilet roll you use and explain
why you wash your hands afterwards. “Boys need to
see their dads using the toilet, too,” says Judith.
8 CHOOSE THE WORDS
SHE’LL NEED
You’re going to be talking a lot about poo and wee, so
you need to find words to describe toilet life that you’re
comfortable with and will be happy to stick to. Use
language you find embarrassing and you’ll make your
child feel uncomfortable – and this could cause problems
with potty training. Instead, find words that make you feel
at ease and you’re happy using in public. If saying penis
or vagina makes you squirm, try willy and woo-woo.
“The best words to use are simple, plain ones that
everyone understands,” says Diane.
“Choose ones you’re happy using
and be consistent about using them.
Make sure any other caregivers
know the words you’re using, or
your mom might babysit and
say something confusing
like, ‘Shall we pay a visit
to the little girl’s room?’.
Once the words you
use are consistent,
your child will find it
natural to use them as
part of her vocabulary.”6 TALK ABOUT IT
“Children need to know it’s normal to use the toilet,” says
Judith. Try asking, “How old do you think your cousin
was when she started using the big-girl toilet?”.EverybodyPoos–fun
illustrationsandsimple
textgetsacrosstheall-
importantmessagethat
pooingisnormal.
R219,takealot.
com7 EXPLAIN WHAT POO AND WEE IS
Toddlers can be fearful of poo and wee leaving their body.
“Modern nappies are very absorbent, so children don’t
ever feel wet,” says Judith. Make the learning process into
a game by both drinking a glass of water
and seeing how long it takes to have
a wee. Or have sweetcorn and see
when it appears in your poo. Explain
where the wee and poo goes, too
- try “Poo Land” and “Wee Land”.
SuperheroPottyTimeis
interactivewithflaps,tabs
andwheelstohelpboys
betweentwoandfouryears
oldlearneverythingabout
pottytraining.
R105,takealot.com