Do Kindergartners Need To Be Potty Trained?

It’s important that your child is fully potty trained before entering kindergarten. Build bathroom times into their classroom schedule and check them frequently for wetness.

If your child has a disability or medical reason that requires them to wear diapers, schools allow it. Teachers can also call in aides to help change children who have accidents at school.

1. Do Your Research

A good pediatrician will be able to offer a physical assessment and special insight into your child’s needs. For example, they may be able to let you know if your child has issues that can interfere with training. This includes a history of constipation and loose stool, which can make it difficult for your child to learn how to use the toilet.

It’s also a good idea to speak with your child’s future preschool teacher. Most teachers are understanding of the fact that children develop differently, and they can often give you suggestions or recommendations for helping your child.

Children with special needs can have a harder time potty training than other kids. Many have developmental disorders or behavioral difficulties, like autism spectrum disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These conditions can interfere with their ability to follow routines or take prompt action when they need to go. However, with some preparation and patience, many of these children can be trained to use the toilet. The key is to find the right combination of visual observation (such as allowing them to observe family members and other children using the bathroom) and verbal explanations (repeatedly explaining to them how they should sit on the potty and what happens when they do). They should also be encouraged to read books about the process.

2. Be Prepared

It takes time to teach a child to listen to their body and sit on the potty when they feel the urge to pee or poop. Using the toilet instead of a potty chair, having your child wear underwear at least part of the time, and limiting liquids before and after meals can help speed up the process.

Taking the child to the potty on a regular schedule will also help them learn that they have to go before and after naps, before bedtime, etc. Having a change of underwear ready at all times will also help avoid accidents.

Romper spoke with Allison Jandu, a certified potty training specialist who has helped families with children in diapers train their kids. She suggests calling your preschool ahead of time to see what their policy is on this issue. Jandu says that many schools will be more lenient than you might expect, especially when it comes to 3- and 4-year-olds.

She says that you can also let the school know that your child is still in diapers when they enroll, which may help make them more sympathetic to your situation. Then, when you do bring your child to preschool, be sure to have them in underwear and an extra pair of pants just in case of an accident.

3. Be Positive

When a toddler is resistant to potty training, it can be easy for parents to get frustrated and upset. They want their children to be independent and successful in life, and potty training is high on the list of things kids are expected to accomplish before kindergarten.

However, it’s important for parents to stay calm and positive during the toilet training process, especially if they aren’t seeing immediate results. Kids pick up on their parent’s emotions, and negative reactions can make them more resentful of the process.

It’s also important to remember that all children are different and learn at their own pace. It could take days, weeks, or even months for a four-year-old to be fully toilet trained. If your child is ready to leave the diapers behind, it will eventually happen. Until then, be sure to bring a change of clothes to school, so they can continue to participate in their favorite activities and remain comfortable. Also, remind them that it’s normal to have accidents sometimes, and the teacher will be prepared to help them clean up.

4. Be Flexible

If your child isn’t fully potty trained by the time kindergarten starts, you have a few options. For starters, don’t try to use every potty-training technique in the book. That’s a sure recipe for frustration for both of you.

Instead, find one that works for your child and stick with it. For example, don’t reward your child for every successful toileting session by giving them a sticker or extra treat. That type of behavior can backfire, creating an anxiety response if your child has an accident or otherwise feels like they failed.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask your child’s school or preschool for guidance about their potty training policy. Many schools and programs for children ages three and up will steer clear of potty training deadlines. However, some schools, such as KinderCare, will require potty training before enrolling your child. If that’s the case, make sure you have a plan in place for your child to wear diapers while at school. If your child has a developmental delay, disability, or medical condition that requires them to wear a diaper, it’s important to be upfront with the school about this.

5. Be Patient

It’s important to remember that potty training is a process and it takes time. It is best to wait until your child is ready for this step, usually when they have a good understanding of what’s happening and have expressed interest. Once you feel confident that they are ready, set a weekend aside to devote all of your attention to toilet training. This may include buying a new pair of big kid underwear. This can be fun for your child and help them to be more invested in the process.

For many children, especially those with developmental delay, intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder, toilet training can be a difficult challenge. A matter-of-fact approach, using clear verbal cues (“It’s wet!”), and providing a rewards system are often helpful.

It is also important to re-define your goal and be realistic about what it might look like for your child. Some kids still wear a diaper at night, or don’t ditch the pull-up completely until later in elementary school. If your child is in this category, find a preschool that is flexible and supportive of this.

My Experience With Potty Training In Kindergarten

As a male teacher, I am not allowed to enter the toilets, so I always considered myself the biggest supporter that is waiting outside! In Hong Kong, toilet training is managed by the teachers but handled by our ‘aunties’ (cleaner lady who helps around the school).

Communication is key with parents when it comes to potty training, you need to give a clear pathway for parents to follow and the indication to when the child is ready to step up. For my nursery classes in the past, I always suggest to parents to wait until the whole class is ready. When a child is just off diapers, they have irregular toilet times in school as they are worried that any sense of feeling they need to go. This can disrupt the class and take a teacher out of the classroom.

Kindergarten is different, I make it clear to students and parents what the toilet times are so they can ‘train’ their toilet schedule. It is not advised to say no to students who need the toilet, but I try to get them to hold on for a period of time to determine whether they are desperate or not. Sometimes they say are desperate, and only a drop comes out!

Final Thoughts

While potty training is generally expected before entering kindergarten, it is crucial to consider individual circumstances and alternatives for kindergartners who are not yet potty trained. Firstly, it is essential to understand and respect cultural differences and practices around potty training. Some cultures may have different norms and expectations regarding the appropriate age for potty training. Additionally, supportive strategies and accommodations should be provided for children with developmental delays or disabilities.