Potty training is one of the greatest developmental challenges of early childhood. Many parents take their time with toilet training and let their child decide when she is ready to use the potty on her own. Others try to rush the process because of daycare requirements or economic challenges related to buying diapers. Whatever your strategy, here’s the basics you need to know about potty training:

Only about 25% of 2-year-olds are potty trained, so there is no need to stress out if your child is taking her time learning this new skill at this age. Girls tend to learn this skill slightly faster than boys. However, the process of achieving successful potty training takes an average of 3 months for both sexes. Daytime control over bodily function comes first, then a few months later nighttime control is achieved.

When your child can walk, pull her pants up independently, follow you into the bathroom, and is aware when she soils her diaper, you can begin toilet training.

Consider these tips while starting to potty train your children:
1. Schedule regular potty breaks after meals when the digestive system is most active.
2. Award successful potty sessions (a sticker reward chart might do the trick)
3. If your child is uninterested or stressed out by the process, discontinue training for a couple of weeks, then try again.