For toddlers attending daycare or preschool, there exists yet another dimension to potty training. Instead of parents helping the child exclusively, parents and teacher(s) must become co-leaders for the event.

Holley Padula, a teacher in a Montessori toddler classroom, is well versed in toddler potty training, where the process begins when children reach 18 months old. At first, toddlers play an active role in diapering and are simply encouraged to sit on the potty with each change. “I find the younger you start, the easier it is,” says Holley. “Eighteen-month-olds are so eager to learn and try. I find children over two have issues with diapers, and it becomes a control struggle. What are required then are patience and the ability not to get upset by accidents.” Once the child starts using the potty, Holley transitions her to panties and discontinues diapers (with the exception of poo, which is another issue entirely). Above all, Holley stresses that potty training depends largely on the child and can be a slow process.

So what can you, as a parent, do to facilitate potty training at your child’s school?

• Choose a daycare or preschool that is willing to work with you, regardless of the issue. *At the risk of stepping up on my parental soapbox for a moment, I feel I should emphasize that you should never adopt an “us against them” mentality. In other words, it is the responsibility of both the parent and the teacher to achieve a cohesive balance between the home and school to ensure the emotional, physical, and educational well-being of the child.* Many parents I know, especially if their toddler is in all-day care, take the teacher’s lead to reduce the child’s confusion at home. Children are creatures of habit and crave routine. Discuss what the classroom “potty procedures” are, and then follow those at home.
• Keep an open dialogue with your child’s teacher, something that Holley says is important. The birth of a new baby, an extended illness, of other big event can affect potty training. Let your toddler’s teacher know of any out-of-the-ordinary events. Likewise, you should receive a daily report on what goes on in the classroom to alert you to any abnormal behaviors or major changes at school.
• Send your child to school with plenty of extra clothes. She will have accidents.  
• Persevere.

Join me next Tuesday as we discuss (duh duh DUH) . . . poo.

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In unrelated news, Bridget is a finalist in a “Toddler Trouble” photo contest. Here’s the deal, my husband and I are celebrating nine years of wedded bliss on February 5th. We would REALLY like to win the prize, which is a $100 gift card to Target. You can help us win by clicking on Bridget’s picture once a day between now and January 30th. Help us out, will ya? And anyway, Bridget is, by far, the cutest kid in the lineup.