POTTY TRAINING ADVICE FROM PLAYDATE KIDS PUBLISHING

We have asked local moms and dads about their best potty training experiences. They all have this advice to share… It is not as hard as it seems, potty training can actually be really fun for both the parents and toddler! Really!! Teaching a child to use the toilet isn’t hard work if you do it right. All it requires is preparation from both the toddler and the parents.

Here are our tips on preparing for the potty:

Potty training should be a priority.

Potty training should be a top priority and parents need to reiterate the steps on a consistent basis. It is a process so as a parent, you should prepare for it just as much as your child! Even if your toddler shows signs of potty training readiness, YOU may not be ready for it! Choose a time to begin potty training when your life routine mellow. You don’t want to be pre-occupied with work or anything else.

Explain how going to the potty should work.

When you are ready to potty train, explain to your child that it's time to put his "pee-pee" and "poo- pee" in the toilet. Explain that when he feels the need to go in his diapers, he should hold it in, walk to the toilet, sit down, and let go. Just like big kids do…
Use toys to explain it further. Sit a toy (stuffed animal, doll or action figure) on a toilet and show how "[toy name] is going pee-pee in the potty." You can even put diapers on your child’s favorite stuffed animal or doll. Eventually, you can graduate the stuffed animal to “big kid” underwear.

Read a book or play music.

Share books and music about toilet learning so your child can see how other children like to use the potty. Our book, “The Island Potty Party” by author Tim Friedlander, is a great way to show a young child how much fun potty training can be!

Discuss the wonderful reward.

Talk to your child about the rewards of being potty trained: how there will be no more diaper rash, no more diaper changes that take away from playtime and the wonderful feeling of being clean, fresh and dry.

Discuss how potty training an important part of growing up.

Remind your child that using the potty makes them a “big kid” and not a baby. It is a step for growing up and that is great!

How to Help Your Child Spell

Is your child having trouble on weekly spelling quizzes in school? Below are some helpful tips for parents.

Once your child has learned to master this learning technique, he/she will be able to study his/her spelling words AND possibly other homework independently.

First and foremost, make your child your own practice test. As soon as your child brings home a list of new spelling words, sit down and create a special practice test. Since studies show that children learn how to spell words by visualizing them in their minds, try not to resort to mindless copying tactics. Instead, have your child say each new word out loud in a sentence—then ask him/her to write it down.

Now, have your child grade the test with you. Keep working if there are any misspelled words.

If so, tell your child to: Say the word while looking at the paper. Close his/her eyes, visualize the word on the paper, and spell the word out loud. Look at the written word to see if it was spelled it out loud correctly. Look at the word again, then cover the word and write it down. Lastly, check to see if he's written the word correctly.

If any word is misspelled again, all four steps must be repeated. Repeat the process once again after your child finishes the list of misspelled words.

On the night before the test, give your child another practice test with all the words.