When a child shows signs of potty training readiness, it's an exciting time for parents. But before jumping into a toilet training program, they should first take care to gradually introduce the topic to their toddler on their own terms. Using toilet training videos and potty training books for children is an excellent resource that helps toddlers become comfortable with the whole process.
Children's Picture Books About the Potty
Children's bookstores and public libraries are great resources for potty training. They carry a large selection of potty training books for kids, which teach the basics through lively narration, colorful illustrations, and vivid pictures to which they can relate. Some of the best children's books about the potty are:
- Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel (HarperFestival, 1999) is the classic how-to potty children's book that began the movement to educate kids about the potty with a picture book. Simple, no-nonsense storytelling and bold illustrations captivate toddlers.
- Even Firefighters Go to the Potty by Wendy Wax, Naomi Wax, and Stephen Gilpin (Little Simon, 2008) lets kids lift the flaps to discover firefighters, baseball players, policemen, and other everyday heroes using the potty. This book might help kids find just the motivation they need to become potty trained.
- Going to the Potty by Fred Rogers and Jim Judkis (Paperstar, 1997) is written by Mister Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Though a little dated, it is very factual and scientific, with real pictures that explain how everybody goes to the bathroom and why.
- The New Potty by Mercer Mayer (Random House Books for Young Readers, 2003) follows Little Critter as he explains how he taught his little sister how to use the potty. Humorous yet informative, this book is great for kids who are a little scared to start potty training.
- A Potty for Me! by Karen Katz (Little Simon, 2005) has a rhyming narrative that isn't incredibly informative, but kids who like Karen Katz's books will fall in love with the familiar illustration style and get comfortable with the potty by reading the book with a parent or caregiver.
Some children will really latch on to a particular potty training book, which is great. Hearing the words and looking at the pictures over and over gives them "vicarious" experience in using the potty before training even begins.
Children's Videos About Toilet Training
The potty training DVD is another valuable potty training resource that can be used to introduce the potty to a toddler. Some kids may have trouble sitting still for a book, but a potty training movie might captivate them long enough to get the message across.
- Potty Power (Thinkeroo, 2004) is narrated by a teenage girl with catchy songs and music videos in a remarkably Barney-esque style that kids love. There are different interactive segments, including the game "Baby or Big Kid?" and the story of "The Princess and the Potty."
- I Can Go Potty (Thinkeroo, 2003) is a Parents' Choice Gold Award winner, narrated by an intelligent elementary schooler who describes her toddler brother's journey in learning to use the potty.
While it's easy to pop in a movie and let kids watch alone, it's always smart to watch potty training videos with the toddler to discuss and ask questions along the way.
Gender-Specific Potty Training DVDs and Picture Books
Boys' potty training and girls' potty training involves a very different set of needs, so that should be considered when selecting books and videos.
A girl might be confused by illustrations of boys standing up in front of the potty, and a boy might be turned off by a potty training book for girls with illustrations that are "too pretty." When introducing the potty, it's best to let kids learn from same-gender role models in media like these:
- Once Upon a Potty for Him and Once Upon a Potty for Her by Alona Frankel (Barron's Educational Services, 2004) is a brief and to-the-point toilet training DVD that features either Prudence or Joshua, using the text and storyline from the classic picture book Once Upon a Potty. It's only 17 minutes long, and includes a short music video afterward about babies in their diapers and big kids with their potties.
- My Potty Book for Girls and My Potty Book for Boys by Melanie Whittington and Mary Atkinson (Dorling Kindersley, 2001) comes in durable board book format with pictures (not illustrations) of real kids on the potty.
- Big Girls Use the Potty and Big Boys Use the Potty by Andrea Pinnington (DK Publishing, 2005) are sturdy board book with colorful versions for boys and girls. The book is filled with photos of toddlers and their potties, plus a sheet of star reward stickers to use during training.
Potty training is a stressful experience, both for parents and their toddlers. Children who already feel comfortable with the potty stand a better chance of learning quickly and being excited to say goodbye to diapers for good.
For more potty training tips for parents, please read Best Potty Training Advice for Toddlers.
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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