Toilet Training Adventures: Why Are We Stuck?

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Embark on a transformative parenting journey with me, Jenefer Neale, as we unlock the secret weapon for smoothing out your toddler's toilet training roadblocks—the powerful use of visual supports. Ever found yourself puzzled by your toddler's potty progress, or lack thereof? Our latest episode of Toddler Troubleshooter dives into the stall-outs many parents dread and provides an arsenal of practical tools and the incredible Sage Sprout's strategy to help your little one navigate the bathroom like a champ. Visual aids aren't just pictures; they're clear, concise roadmaps that speak louder than words to our developing tots.

Wave goodbye to toilet training woes and hello to wins with easy-to-use templates and real-life scenarios that showcase the magic of visuals. In this discussion, I don't just tell you about the benefits—I give you the how-to's to implement visual schedules and first-then cards, ensuring both you and your toddler stay on track. Whether it's turning toilet paper spinning sessions into successful potty breaks or transforming tantrums into triumphs, my two decades of experience are wrapped up in this essential episode. So, plug in those headphones and let's make parenting toddlers not just manageable, but downright delightful.

Episode Transcript

Jenefer (00:07):
Welcome to the Toddler Troubleshooter.
Hello Sage Sprout's parents.
I'm your host, Jenefer.
As a parent of a toddler andwith over 20 years of experience
working with young children,I'm excited to share my tools
for troubleshooting your toddler.
In each brief podcast, we'llexplore the different challenges
that arise in toddlerhood andI'll provide you detailed
troubleshooting strategiesDrawing from my extensive

(00:29):
background.
You'll not only gain practicaltools, but you'll also discover
how to make this journeyenjoyable for both you and your
little one.
Toddlers are an adventure.
From toilet training totransitions, our little ones
love to take charge.
I will arm you with the SageGrout strategy to troubleshoot
and modify your approach aschallenges arise.
So if you're ready totroubleshoot your toddler and

(00:50):
transform toddlerhood into apositive and manageable
experience, let's get started.
Hello fellow parents, welcomeback to another episode of
Toilet Training Adventures.
I'm your host, Jenefer Neal.
Have you ever wondered why yourtoddler seems to be stuck and

(01:12):
progress is just a bit too slow?
In today's episode, we'relooking at solving this with the
power of visuals.
Throughout this episode, keepin mind the central role visuals
play in helping communicate aclear and consistent message to
your toddler.
If you're in the midst oftoilet training and things were
going well, but now you feelyou've stalled out.
Your toddler is just waitingfor you to do everything.

(01:34):
Or, when they are sitting onthe toilet, they are more
interested in spinning thetoilet paper roll than releasing
their pee.
Then this episode is for you.
Today, we're unlocking a secretweapon that can turn your
toilet training journey into asuccess story.
Today's tip adding in visualsupports.

(01:55):
Now, before we dive deeper,let's set the stage for why
visuals matter.
Toddlers are at a stage wheretheir language abilities are
still developing.
Combining simple language withvisual cues creates a clearer
understanding of expectations.
It's like providing them with aroadmap for success.
In a recent study on theeffectiveness of using visuals
to teach new skills, it wasfound that utilizing visuals

(02:18):
positively impacted all learners.
This aligns perfectly with myown experience over the past 20
years working with young kids,where I've seen how pictures and
lists expedite learning.
Let's not just consider this asa parenting hack, but a proven
method to enhance the toilettraining experience.
Now let me share a real lifescenario that perfectly

(02:40):
illustrates the impact ofvisuals.
I once worked with a little girlwho was working on toilet
training with her parents formonths.
She would happily walk to thebathroom, sit on the toilet, she
would even wipe.
When she finished this routine,she would try to get off the
toilet and immediately startasking for candy.
Her parents were at a loss anddidn't know what to do.
If they didn't give her candy,she would cry in tantrum.

(03:01):
They didn't want to lose theirmomentum of having her
transition so easily, but theydidn't know how to get her to
actually pee.
She thought she knew theroutine, but was missing a
crucial step Actually peeing.
This is where visuals becameinvaluable.
By incorporating a video modeland a still image of a girl
peeing, we could effectivelycommunicate and reinforce the

(03:23):
missing element, ensuring acomplete understanding.
The tool we used is called afirst then card.
It's a straightforward yetpotent tool featuring two spaces
labeled, first showing the girlpeeing and then highlighting
her chosen treat.
This card acts as a roadmap foryour toddler, ensuring the
process is not only clear butalso adds an element of

(03:44):
excitement.
Visuals are not just helpful.
They're essential reminders,providing tangible ways for
learners to remember new skills.
Think of it as giving yourchild something to file into
their mental catalogue whenwords alone might not stick.
Now let's talk aboutincorporating a visual routine

(04:04):
into your day, a visual roadmap,if you will.
One idea is to use a visualschedule to show when it's time
to try using the toilet.
This routine not onlyestablishes clear expectations,
but also gives your toddler asense of control and
predictability.
I find the visual routines keepme on track as well.
You can make it very simple andjust do the major events like

(04:26):
meals and rest times,interspersing toilet breaks at
consistent intervals.
I have included some awesometemplates and examples of
visuals you can use on mywebsite, sagesproutsparentpodcom
, but I will quickly run throughsome ideas of different ways
you can use visuals to enhanceyour toilet training experience.
Number one use it to signal toyour kiddo that it's time to go.

(04:48):
A simple picture or even a clipart of the toilet works well
for this.
Number two visuals of differentreinforcers you can use on a
first-thin card.
Number three visuals of peerpoop actually going into the
toilet.
Number four visuals of thesteps they need to take in the
bathroom.
This can start very simple withsitting on the toilet, or it

(05:09):
can become more complex with howto remove their pants and even
the discrete steps of washinghand.
Number five displaying theirsuccesses with stars, stickers
or even check marks on littlepicks of clean underwear.
Number six visual schedule ofthe day so they know what to
expect and when.
As we wrap up today's episode,remember that visuals are a

(05:30):
powerful tool in your toilettraining toolkit.
From simple pictures todetailed schedules, they provide
a clear roadmap for yourtoddler.
Check out our website forexamples and more information
SageSproutsParentPod.
com.
That's all for today's toilettraining adventures.
I'm Jennifer Neal, your host,and I'll catch you in the next

(05:50):
episode.
Happy toilet training everyone.
Thanks for joining us on ToddlerTroubleshooter.
That's a wrap for today'sepisode.
Thank you so much for tuning inand being part of our parenting
community.
If you found value in today'sdiscussion, don't forget to hit

(06:11):
that subscribe button so younever miss an episode.
I'm Jenefer, a parent coach andfellow mom navigating the joys
and trials of toddler life alongwith you.
To hear more about my journeyand get access to more tips and
tricks, follow me on Instagramat SageSprouts underscore parent
pod, or find us on Facebook atSage Sprouts parent pod.

(06:32):
Look forward to seeing you inthe pod.
Remember, parenting is ajourney we navigate together and
your support means the world tous.
If you have any topics you'dlike us to cover in future
episodes, feel free to reach outthrough social media or through
our website,sagesproutsparentpod.
com.
Stay tuned for our next episode.

(06:52):
Until then, take care, and mayyour parenting journey be filled
with joy and laughter.
See you next episode.