Track your child’s toilet skills progress

Toilet learning takes time, and every step forward is worth celebrating.

Over time you’ll start to notice that your child:

• understands more and will join in with the toilet routine with less help
• begins to recognise when they need to go and can control their bladder and bowel
• feels more confident using the toilet at home and when going out.

How support needs can change over time

At first, your child will need lots of help and encouragement. As they learn, you can slowly step back.

Here’s a simple guide:

Step 1: Getting comfortable

• establish relaxed daily routines for your child
• stay close and give help as needed
• use calming and distracting tools like books or toys.

Step 2: Joining in

• encourage your child to start helping with parts of the routine
• use clear teaching steps to guide their learning
• slowly use less distractions and focus more on body awareness.

Step 3: Becoming independent

• teach more advanced skills such as wiping the bottom properly, asking to go and using toilets outside the home
• slowly reduce how much help you give as your child becomes more confident
• slowly move away and reduce your presence as they become more independent.

Take learning one step at a time and follow your child’s lead.

Where to find help

Some skills take longer to learn – like wiping the bottom properly, using public toilets, asking to go, or going to the toilet without reminders.

If your child needs extra help, talk to a paediatric development therapist or toilet training educator for support tailored to your child’s needs.

To find a paediatric development therapist or toilet training educator:

• contact our National Continence Helpline for free and confidential information and referrals from a nurse continence specialist
• use Find a service provider to look for a specialist near you.

Final encouragement

Learning to use the toilet is a big step for your child.

• Be patient – take one step at a time
• Be persistent – keep going even when it’s tricky
• Be positive – encourage your child and celebrate progress
• And be kind to yourself – you’re doing a great job!