SMAART Mom’s January Online "Mommy Time-Out" Video : (Part 1) The Potty Chart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK8lL1aJSck
Potty Training Incentives: A Unique Approach
Introduction
Welcome back to parenting, where we explore innovative strategies for raising children. Today, we’re delving into potty training, an often-challenging milestone for children and parents. Over the years, we have experimented with various incentives to encourage successful potty training.
Variety of Potty Training Incentives
We have tried different incentives such as snacks like Cheetos, outings to Chuck E. Cheese and even toys. Unfortunately, these incentives did not yield the desired results. Therefore, we have decided to change our strategy and explore new potty training incentives.
The Last Resort: Toys R Us
In our quest to find the perfect incentive, we considered what would motivate a child – ordinary or extraordinary. We contemplated, \”If a child wanted something, where would they go to find it?\” The answer was Toys R Us. We set our new incentive system in motion and observed the results.
Changing the Incentive and Observing Results
We observed favorable outcomes shortly after adjusting the incentive. Despite the late evening trip to the toy store, it proved to be a valuable endeavor. We kept a meticulous record of the child’s development, yielding interesting observations. Our blog will feature this information, along with a more comprehensive analysis.
The Incentive System: Cards and Coupons
We created a card system to keep the child engaged. These cards, stored in a small pocket, serve as coupons with a dollar value. Each successful potty use earned the child a coupon. Although the value didn’t directly translate to buying a toy, it provided a sense of accomplishment.
Progression and Praise
At first, the child had to gather seven coupons to receive a prize. However, we gradually raised the goal to 14 to provide a more challenging experience for the child. As the child grew more accustomed to the system, the frequency of earning coupons decreased naturally. Nevertheless, the child still felt motivated by a sense of accomplishment.
We also incorporated praise into the incentive system. We had three sentences written on the cards – \”You did it!\”, \”You’re amazing!\” and \”You are the best!\” These affirmations reinforced a positive self-perception and amplified the child’s pride in their achievements.
Adjustments and Wrap-Up
As the process continued, we had to maintain flexibility and respond to the child’s needs. For instance, when the child became agitated, we knew it was time to wrap up the session. We’ll continue our exploration of potty training incentives and strategies, so stay tuned for more updates.
It’s essential to remember that every child is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. Therefore, it’s important to keep experimenting and discovering what works best for your child.
