health
Just Sit Them on the Potty
Parents who wait for their kid to be “ready” to toilet train may be making their own lives harder, not easier.
TL;DR
- Several U.S. states and districts are considering or implementing policies requiring children to be toilet trained before enrolling in public school.
- A significant percentage of children in the UK are not toilet trained when they start primary school, impacting teachers' ability to focus on curriculum.
- Factors contributing to delayed toilet training include the convenience of disposable diapers and the time constraints faced by working parents.
- A child-led parenting philosophy, often seen in "gentle" or "respectful" parenting, emphasizes respecting children's autonomy, which some argue extends to delaying toilet training until the child initiates it.
- Historical guidance from the U.S. Children's Bureau recommended starting toilet training much earlier than current trends.
- Pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton's mid-20th century work influenced a child-oriented approach, emphasizing physiological and psychological readiness over age.
- Current expert advice, including from the American Academy of Pediatrics, often encourages parents to wait for signs of readiness before beginning toilet training.
- A recent poll found that a majority of U.S. parents initiate toilet training based on their child's perceived readiness, with other factors being less influential.