Potty training is often one of the most dreaded tasks of parenthood, but it doesn’t have to be a frustrating or unpleasant experience if you know which products can help ease the transition. Books are a great choice because kids love to be read to, and they can relate to the characters they read about. Videos are fun because they often use songs and humor to encourage children to use the toilet. Of course, toys are always a great education resource.
Potty Training Books
A Potty for Me!: A Lift-the-Flap Instruction Manual by Karen Katz [Little Simon, 2004]:This book ranks number one in Amazon.com’s Toilet Training Books category. Kids love to open flaps in books, and this book features flaps to help readers follow the story. It features a main character who has some problems with the potty at first, then finds success. [$7.99, ISBN 0689874235]
Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi [Kane/Miller, 2001]: Based on the premise that all animals poop, this book takes readers through the “rear end” of the animal kingdom. Although School Library Journal gave it a poor review, the fact remains that kids love toilet humor, which is why this book has remained so popular. [$4.25, ISBN 192913214X]
The Potty Train by David Hochman [Simon & Schuster, 2008]: For kids who love trains, this adorable title features a train that says, “Chugga chugga poo-poo” as it travels to Underpants Station. It provides a positive message about toilet training. [$9.99 ISBN 1416928332]
Potty Training Videos
It’s Potty Time: This classic 1990 video stars Dr. Barbara J. Howard and features songs such as “Super Duper Pooper.” It’s goofy and childish, but children love it, which is why it is still one of the best selling toilet training videos of all time. [Price varies, ASIN B00018D4J0]
Sesame Street: Elmo’s Potty Time: You can’t go wrong with Elmo, and this upbeat, musical video teaches kids that potty training is fun. [$9.99, ASIN B000G0O5F0]
Potty Power: This video is great for all ages, but parents of older children who are having trouble with toilet training will find it particularly useful. [$12.99, ASIN B0002B55DO]
Potty Training Toys
Potty Monkey: Designed by a pediatric urologist, Potty Monkey features a plush monkey with a real flushing toilet and underwear, instruction books for both parents and children, and a timer to remind children to use the potty every 30 or 90 minutes. [$35.99, ASIN B000MZCKVK]
Baby Alive Learns to Potty: For children who love Baby Alive, this realistic doll comes with her own potty and will tell you when she needs to go. [$59.99, ASIN B00160HTUW]
Mom Invented Tinkle Targets:These flushable targets come in different themes and are used in the toilet to help young boys “aim” into the toilet bowl. Boys love these fun, colorful targets. [$4.97, various themes]
Tinkle, Tinkle Little Tot: Songbook and CD: Songs and Rhymes for Toilet Training: The CD features 17 funny versions of familiar kids’ songs such as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “On Top of Old Smokey.” It also has an illustrated song book.[$12.95, ISBN 1416923659]
Sometimes it takes more than a positive attitude to help kids learn to use the toilet. Many of these products have been proven to help motivate children to potty train more quickly and with less emotional struggles.
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