Tips For Potty Training With The Montessori Method

Doctor and teacher Maria Montessori gave us important tools to educate and educate our children. Also with her method of potty training: the Montessori method. With her knowledge, she would help us improve various aspects of motherhood. On this occasion, we will talk about her method of potty training.

As we know, the  process of getting rid of diapers is something that takes time and effort. There are different ways to do this. It requires consistent training and patience. The biggest challenge at this stage is getting a quick adjustment. But since we are not experts, it often takes a long time.

In general, children get through this process easily. When it comes to parents, the worst that can happen is that they have to clean up an extra time after an accident.

But  whatever method you choose, it is important not to pressure the kids. Instead, give them the time they need to adapt. By doing so, you will avoid possible negative psychological effects.

How to know if the Montessori method works

The Montessori method has yielded great results worldwide. This child development specialist seems to have had a high level of efficiency in her approach. However, the result we achieve through her potty training method depends on how and when we do it.

It is very important that we wait for the right moment.
Each child is different and learns at their own personal pace. When a child is prepared and we are prepared, the method works much better.

According to the author behind the method, it is best to respect your little one’s personal process. Therefore, the glimpses of autonomy that your child exhibits will be signals.

With the child’s own time, it begins to adapt to his surroundings. It is the same as when we begin to see a growing desire for independence. It is our duty to create the right environment so that the child can achieve this goal himself.

Tips from Maria Montessori to get rid of diapers

Maria Montessori’s method of potty training is based on a child’s autonomy. As parents, we sometimes get eager and want to speed up the process. There are a number of reasons why we want to train our child to use the toilet earlier than they are ready for it.

But Montessori, both doctor and teacher, found it very important that we respect this process. In other words,  we have to wait patiently. At the same time, we must offer the tools our child needs to achieve the goal. Below you can read the master keys for this method.

Age is not the issue

Even if your child has reached an age where you think it’s time for him to learn to use the toilet, it does not mean that the child is ready. Most potty training theories say that when a child is 2 years old, it is time to get rid of the diapers.

The Montessori method also suggests another factor that determines when the right time is. Namely n year the little one is physiologically able to control his sphincters. A child’s age may have something to do with its maturity in this area. However, that is not  the  deciding factor. It’s not something your child can learn out of the blue. His body must be prepared for it.

There is no right or wrong time of year

Sometimes we wait at a certain time of the year to teach our child to get rid of diapers. Many try e.g. potty training in the summer. Here they can wash their children often and give them less clothes to wear without having to worry about catching a cold.

We may also feel pressured into potty training as our children are about to start kindergarten. But just because it’s hot outside and school starts in the fall, does not mean your child is ready.

At the same time, even though winter makes us worried about cold and humidity, if that’s your child’s time, jump into it. Whether it is winter, summer, spring or autumn, we must take advantage of the autonomy that our child shows.

Provide the right environment

Montessori explained the following to take advantage of your child’s autonomy. It is  important that your child does not feel that he has to depend on others to solve his problem. Therefore, our child needs to know what he needs to be able to use the toilet.

If your child needs to pee, defecate or anything else, the potty should be within reach. That way, when he realizes that he needs to go to the toilet, the child can go alone and have access to what he needs to do what needs to be done.

Notice your child’s body language

Often parents use the technique to force their children to sit on the potty until they have made. For your child, it feels like a kind of punishment and is anything but motivating. It is best not to oblige your child to sit on the toilet.

The Montessori method suggests that we pay attention to the movements of our little ones. The movements that signal that it is time to go to the toilet. We also have to ask often if it’s time to go to the toilet.

Avoid reward system

The adaptation process must be natural. Your baby should see it that way. It is not about performing a particular action. Or about showing a talent or accomplishing a mission. We should avoid rewards as this should be a new step in our little one’s development.

Sooner or later, our baby will have the level of maturity needed. Here it is important that he of course adheres to this goal. In addition, the reward will put a lot of pressure on your child and lead to frustration when it does not reach its goal.

Avoid punishing your child

If your child knew exactly what was going on, then we would not talk about this problem. How can we expect our children to change their habits overnight after using diapers all their lives? Your baby knows no other way to urinate or defecate than to do so in his diaper.

Therefore, you need to be prepared for accidents and clutter and accept it as part of the process. Do not view your child’s misfortunes as a form of disobedience. The child is still learning.

We must be patient and loving. We must not get angry at our children’s clumsiness. More than anything else, we need to motivate our children to achieve their goals. Try not to get angry when they make an accident. Simply help your child without scolding or making a scandal.

Rome was not built in one day

Do  not assume that you will reach the goal at a specific time. There are some methods that suggest potty training for just three days or a week. But we all know that in real life, it will not be possible.

Meet this method as naturally as possible; no pressure, no high expectations. Use the method with the same finesse that your little one deserves in each area. Avoid setting a deadline and see how quickly the stress goes away.