So, when should you start potty training your child? “Most children in the American culture potty train between age two and three and girls typically start before boys,” says Faull. That’s only because mothers are usually the ones in charge of the process – so they’re modeling the behaviour to their daughters, explains Faull. “That’s why I encourage dads to get involved with their boys.” Around your child’s second birthday, Faull suggests keeping an eye out for the following signs of readiness to toilet train:

Dry diapers: If your child’s diaper is dry and clean for about one-and-a-half hours or they tell you or indicate that there is some change down there, that’s a good sign because it shows that they understand they are going pee or poop or have already gone.

Everything in its place: If a child knows where things belong – that books go on the shelf and toys go in the chest, for example – they are likely to understand that pee and poop go in the toilet.

A willing participant: If your child is highly interested in the potty or toilet and willing to sit on it without any kind of a two-year-old temper tantrum, then she may be ready to begin toilet training.

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