1. Post-pandemic potty pauses: With everyone locked in during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, routines were disrupted. This may have contributed to some potty training setbacks. In fact, a ‘school readiness’ survey by Kindred2 found that a whopping 90% of teachers have at least one non-toilet-trained child in their class.

2. Over-cautious settings: Ofsted has suggested that some early years settings might be stifling kiddos’ physical development due to health and safety concerns. We reckon children need a little room to grow, stumble, and yes, occasionally spill. It’s all part of the learning journey!

Now let’s dive into how we can supportively splash our way through this phase.

Here are a few pearls of wisdom:

– Teamwork makes the dream work: Coordinate with parents on their potty training strategy. Keeping things consistent can be a real game-changer.

– Celebrate the little wins: Did little Jimmy manage a day without accidents? Throw a mini-party or have a fun sticker chart. The more fun it is, the more encouraged they’ll be to keep going.

– Educate with empathy: Potty training is as much about social cues as it is about nature’s call. Use storybooks or role-playing to teach them when and how to ask to use the toilet.

– Foster independence: Encourage kiddos to take charge. Whether it’s pulling down their pants or washing their hands, these small tasks boost their confidence and independence.

And for the grand finale: Get out and about! Life doesn’t stop for potty training. Make sure they’re dressed for easy bathroom breaks and continue your daily adventures.

We’ve also found the techniques in ‘Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right’ by Jamie Glowacki to be very useful.

In the grand tapestry of early childhood development, potty training is just one small square (albeit a rather damp one!). Let’s tackle it with humour, patience, and the understanding that every child’s journey is unique.