Reviewed by Paul Young, M.D.
August 2005

It probably seems like just yesterday that you changed your baby's first diaper, and now here you are wondering if it's time to start toilet training. There's no magic age at which toddlers are ready to start learning how to use the potty, but most develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills between 18 and 24 months of age (although some won't be interested in the process until they're closer to 3).

Use the checklist below to keep track of your toddler's progress toward readiness. You don't have to wait until you've checked off every item to start training. Just look for a general trend toward independence and an understanding of what it means to go to the bathroom like a grown-up.

Your child may be ready to start toilet training if he:

• Can walk and sit down

• Has regular bowel movements at relatively predictable times

• Can pull his pants up and down

• Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (likes to watch you go to the bathroom, wants to wear underwear, etc.)

• Makes a physical demonstration when he's having a bowel movement (grunting, squatting, telling you, etc.)

• Has words for stool and urine

• Can follow simple instructions, such as "Go get the toy"

• Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or hold it until he has time to get to the potty

• Dislikes the feeling of being in a dirty diaper

• Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours

• Isn't negative about — or resistant to — learning to use the toilet

• Understands the value of putting things where they belong

• Demonstrates a desire for independence