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Writer's pictureRobert Fox

Toilet Learning Not Potty Training

“Don’t be caught in the rat race, allow your children’s growth and development to happen organically” Rob Fox May 2020

I have the Benny hill theme tune, going around my head over and over again. The beat of this song makes me think of the pressures of looking after children and the comparisons that come with this.

For me readiness is defined in three principles, physical, cognitive and emotional and echoes the perspective of the late early years pioneer Magda Gerber.

Evidently physical readiness looks like the child must have full muscle control of bladder and bowel capacity. Cognitive readiness is defined through children’s own understanding of their own toileting needs and what they need to do to achieve this.

Before looking at emotional readiness, in my research for this blog I found this quote and wished to share “Emotional intelligence begins to develop in the earliest years. All the small exchanges children have with their parents, teachers, and with each other carry emotional messages”

When thinking about emotional readiness it is important that your child must have the ability of “letting go” of their bodily functions. For example this means that the child informs you of weeing or soiling in their nappy.

In my work with young children over the past 12 years. I have found this to be the most beneficial strategy instead of potty training, let’s evolve toilet learning to see this as a process that develops when the child is ready to do so.

“Earlier is not better”

Let the child take the lead, it’s about nurturing and differentiating the opportunities you provide that is unique to thee. For your child is present in the moment, in Magda’s own words “Observe more do less”.

Get in Touch Today

Rob Fox Early Years Visionary

Telephone:- 07801996888

Email:- Robert.Fox@activechildhood.co.uk

Rob is a passionate and dedicated childhood development visionary for 12 1/2 years. His experiences of his early schooling has shaped his perspective of allowing children to take ownership of their own learning from an earlier age. Rob is available for consultations via zoom or telephone calls to discuss challenges you are facing and practical guidance to support this further.

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