According to the Mayo Clinic, Many children accomplish potty training easier with the use of incentives or rewards. As parents, it is our job to figure out what rewards will best motivate our individual children. Most people suggest stickers or stars on a potty training chart. Each time the child uses the potty successfully, he or she gets another sticker. You can find several designs of printable potty charts at Pottytrainingconcepts.com. This is an easy way to reward a child for a job well done. However, some children are simply not interested in stickers as a reward. So here are a few more options for parents who want to try a little something different to help their children master one of the greatest challenges of early childhood.
For the princess: Many little girls love the idea of pretending they are royalty. They wear glamorous dresses and crowns, and as much jewelry as they can find. If you have a child who fits this category, try letting her make her own necklace as a reward for using the potty. Purchase some string and a box of beads. Explain to the child that she will be allowed to add a bead to her necklace each time she goes potty like a big girl. Soon, she will be able to wear the necklace she made all by herself. Not only will this motivate her, but she will be proud to have a tangible reminder of her potty success. You can make more necklaces or matching bracelets until you feel she has mastered toilet training for good.
For the pirate:
Using a small box and either craft beads or gems, your little pirate can create his own treasure chest. First, cover a small box with colored construction paper. Allow your child to decorate the outside of the box anyway he wants. Then, each time the child uses the potty, he can glue a bead or gem inside the box. The more successful the child is, the more “treasure” he will get to put in the box. Once the box is full, it can be used for a prop during pirate pretend play or as decoration in a pirate themed bed or toy room.
For the builder:
Do you have a child who loves building with blocks? If so, consider purchasing a Lego kit. You can visit Lego.com to purchase online, or shop local stores to find the lowest price. Kits come in a variety of styles from cars to airplanes to robots. They also cover a wide price range. So pick a kit that fits your budget because you may want to purchase more than one to ensure that your child is rewarded throughout the potty training process. Each time the child uses the potty, he or she can add another piece to the Lego model. When the model is complete, the child can display it as a reminder of his or her accomplishments.
For the artist:
To reward a child who loves to color, try purchasing a big box of crayons or markers. Empty the box and put the crayons or markers in a spot that the child cannot see. Present the child with the box at the beginning of potty training, then each time he or she goes successfully, the reward is one crayon or marker to put in the box. The more times the child uses the potty, the more colors he or she will have available to use on various art projects.
For the animal lover:
Fantasy Toyland sells stuffed animal making kits and accessories. For a special reward for your animal loving potty trainer, purchase one of these kits and allow the child to place a small pinch of stuffing inside the animal every time he or she uses the potty successfully. Soon, the animal will be complete and the child can cherish it for years to come. Similar kits can also be found at local department stores.
Whichever method you choose to reward your child for a job well done, remember to keep it fun and interesting. Always praise your child and provide positive reinforcement during the potty training process. Hopefully, with lots of encouragement and rewards that fit your child’s personality, your child will be able to learn to use the potty with less frustration and more enthusiasm and success.
