Pottie Training Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Pottie Training - Essay Example By using diapers, we condition and thereby train baby to go in them. Later the child must unlearn this training" (Brazelton et al, 2001, p.1353). This negligence of previous knowledge can be traumatic for a child. The scholar also holds that infants from their early childhood make attempts to communicate and articulate toileting needs to their parents as well as to discuss their awareness of elimination process, but facing the parent's low understanding, looses contact with elimination functions and uses diapers, imposed by adults, as a toilet (Brazelton et al, 2001). The child is thus forced to avoid caring about this function and finally forgets the need for more appropriate toilet. Furthermore, self-training in this case is highly unreliable, so it important for a parent to provide assistance in disposal system 'adjustment'. Graham Hocking (2005) assumes that potty training is most relevant between the 18th and 24th months of the infant's life, as at this time he/she is already able to give signals when diaper becomes wet or soiled, i.e. the child obtains complete awareness of disposal system and elimination issues and needs to optimize these processes so that he/she has more freedom in movements and activities. Developmental readiness for potty training is also determined by other psycholophysiological factors, such as distinguishing the processes of urinating and voiding and reflecting upon them - for instance, asking questions if the infant can talk by that time. The child should also walk and sit well as well as be capable of primary activity coordination (walk in the desirable directions, make simplest voluntarily manipulations, e.g. put on or take off pants). The child's interest is probably the main determinant of successful potty training - and the majority of 1,5-2-year-old babies really wish t o try on 'big kid's underwear'. I would also like to note that some scholars offer potty training at the age of 6 months, when learning window opens (Brazelton et al, 2001; Blum et al, 2003), since this period is characterized by the rapid development of reflexes and reactions to the parent's voice and gestures. On the other hand, Ganger argues that at this period the baby is extremely weak in physical sense, so additional training will require changes in the basis of the baby's life. In order to begin toilet teaching, the adults should discuss disposal issues with the child. M.Macias (2006) present specific guidelines for this conversation: "Tell him that everyone goes potty (even animals) and it's a normal part of life. Talk with him about the toilet, a special place where he can potty. Tell him how the potty works and let him try flushing himself. Explain that he's going to be wearing underwear instead of diapers, just like you" (Macias, 2006, p.417). In case of availability, it is also helpful to give visual examples for toileting and involve other siblings who can explain the same question in different words. Furthermore, the purchase of underwear and a potty chair is necessary, and the child should be given an opportunity to participate in selecting the 'equipment', as the decision-making process in future will provide more cognitive commitment to elimination