We republish the complete article by the passionate Sony Vasandani, Founder & CEO of Sunshine Teachers' Training. Sony, and the institute are no strangers to our website and we enjoy sharing their great work. If you are interested in a world-class Montessori teacher certification, you should consider them. Back to our topic.
TOILET TRAINING? Say Goodbye to diapers
Toilet training doesn't have to be a dramatic phase. Let's do it the Montessori way and support children's brain development.
Build a Positive Impression
Urinating and having a bowel movement are normal bodily functions. When changing a child's diaper, explain that their body is getting rid of waste from food they no longer need. Never joke or make disgusted facial expressions that might make this process seem negative to the child.
Monitor and Support Child Readiness
Readiness to use the toilet is a natural process within the child, not a decision made by adults. Typically, children start showing interest in using the toilet between 12 - 18 months of age. At this age they begin to control their bladder/bowels. They will be able to stay dry for a couple of hours. This is a sign of their readiness! Use cloth diapers so that you know when the child urinates/deficates. Remember to provide a toilet-accessible area, such as a potty or a regular toilet, with a child seat, a changing area, a handwashing spot, a place for dirty clothes, etc. Children enjoy imitating adults by sitting on the toilet, even when they're not quite ready to use it.
The Role of the Brain in Toilet Training
The brain network involved in this process is the salience network, which detects and filters stimuli. It plays a crucial role in self-awareness, social behavior, and communication. When a child feels the need to urinate/deficate, or has an accident, this brain network activates, detects stimuli, and makes the child aware that they need to use the toilet. The use of disposable diapers can slow down the child's learning process. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, accelerate the process of toilet training while strengthening the brain n etwork's function. Besides the points above, remember that rewards or punishment must not be a part of toilet training. Our role is to provide an environment that supports the child's independence, allowing them to go through every step of learning to use the toilet and offering support during this natural developmental stage. Have faith in our children's abilities. Isn't the Montessori approach incredible for supporting a child's learning journey? If you want to delve deeper into Montessori, please contact Merlinda via Whatsapp or fill out this form so our representatives can contact you. With Montessori, let's optimize the growth and learning of our beloved children.
