Toilet Training

The critical issue in child training is when to begin toilet training. It is believed that the child derives much pleasure from bowel movements and when this is interfered with, too early in life, through severe control or training, the child responds by inhibiting his pleasure-seeking activity. If toilet training is charecterized by scolding and punishment by the parents, the child may tend to become anxious. Take the baby to the sink and lift up its feet a little. Simultaneously, make soft sounds. Hold it in this position for about thirty seconds from as early as the second month and when the baby passes urine reward it by hugging and making happy sounds. If the baby does not respond, do not be disappointed but continue the same exercise regularly. Very soon the child gets conditioned to the position and the response of paternal praise. For bowel movements put him on a potty appropriate to his size, after his feed, holding him initially until he has learnt to sit properly.