Toilet Learning

Here are some helpful tips to successfully learn toileting!

Be Patient and Positive: Stay calm and patient. Offer lots of praise and encouragement for any effort or success.
Create a Routine: Establish regular bathroom times, especially after meals and before bedtime.
Use Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate successes with verbal praise, stickers, or small rewards.

Make It Fun: Use books, songs, or potty training apps to make the process enjoyable.
Choose the Right Potty: Let your child choose their own potty or a potty seat that they find comfortable and fun.
Lead by Example: Let your child see family members use the toilet to normalize the behavior.

Dress for Success: Dress in easy-to-remove clothing to make the process easier for your child.
Encourage Independence: Teach your child to recognize the signs they need to go and to try on their own.
Stay Consistent: Maintain a consistent approach across all caregivers and environments.

Be Prepared for Accidents: Reassure your child that accidents are okay and a part of learning.
Teach Hygiene: Show your child how to wipe properly, wash their hands, and practice good hygiene habits.
Offer Choices: Give your child some control by offering choices, such as which underwear to wear or which book to read while waiting.

Keep Communication Open: Talk to your child about their feelings and any fears they might have about using the potty.
Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate big milestones, like staying dry all day or using the potty without prompting.

Children’s Books for Use at Home and in the Classroom

Potty Bacinica, Leslie Patricelli
Everyone Poops, Taro Gomi
Diapers are Not Forever/Los Panales No son para Siempre (English and Spanish edition), Elizabeth Verdick
A Potty for Me!, Karen Katz
Pottysaurus, Brooke Vitale
I'm A Potty Superhero, Mabel Forsyth
Potty Time with Pete the Kitty, Kimberly and James Dean

Occasional accidents are expected as children transition to a new school environment. Parents can help their children cope with the occasional accident by practicing at home. Have the child change their clothes, practice placing soiled clothes in a plastic bag, wiping themselves, placing wipes or toilet paper in the trash, dressing themselves, and washing their hands.

For TK's who are not fully toilet independent:

School staff in partnership with families should develop a support plan which could include:
- Develop a consistent toileting schedule at school and home.
- Use of a reward system or chart.
- Families provide extra clothes, wipes, plastic bags, etc.
- School staff should develop a three deep staffing approach to ensure the student is supported appropriately.

FAQ's

- Students in PreK, TK, and Kindergarten are admitted to Early Learning Programs regardless of toileting independence. Pupils with IEPs likewise cannot be denied enrollment in PreK or TK.
- Q: Do TKs have to be potty-trained?
- A: Although non-toileting independent students cannot be denied enrollment, SDUSD strongly urges parents to ensure their child is fully potty trained before enrolling in TK. For some children, this is not possible and we will partner with families to help support the students' toileting journey.
- Q: How can a parent request a meeting with the classroom staff to discuss their child's toileting needs?
- A: Parents/guardians can reach out to school staff via email or before or after school and request to meet. Parents can talk to a teacher before or after pick up/drop off, call the school office and leave a message with front office staff, or email the teacher.

Please check out the SDUSD Toileting Toolkit for more information and resources!

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