Do One-Day Potty Training Methods Really Work?
Experts Claim Toilet Teaching Success in Less than 24 Hours
May 14, 2009
Many parents wanting to get their toddler out of diapers have heard of methods that claim to teach children to become potty-proficient in less than one day. What is the one-day method, how was it developed, and most importantly, does it work?
Origin of the One-Day Potty Training Method
The concept of one-day potty training was first developed by psychologists Nathan Azrin and Richard Foxx in their 1974 book Toilet Training in Less Than a Day. Since then, it has been popularized and adapted by TV psychologist Dr. Phil and author Teri Crane in her book Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day [Simon & Schuster, 2006.]
Steps for Potty Training in a Day
All the major one-day toilet teaching approaches are basically the same. In general, they require:
- Sitting down for an afternoon of intensive training with the child. (Some call this "potty boot camp" and others call it a "potty party.")
- Eliminating distractions and focusing on the potty with potty-themed books and conversation.
- Supplying the child with a constant supply of fluids so that he or she needs to go to the bathroom frequently during training.
- Having the child train a doll that wets to use the potty.
- Positive reinforcement like praise and/or treats after successful toileting.
- Running to the potty ten times after an accident to build muscle memory and allowing the child to model the correct toileting behavior.
Differences Between the Various One-Day Approaches
Though the basic steps for toilet training in a single day are the same, different experts advocate small differences in implementation. For instance:
- The original Azrin-Foxx method instructs parents regularly perform dry pants checks during and after training to increase awareness and motivation.
- Dr. Phil suggests allowing the child to call his superhero to share his success after using the potty.
- Teri Crane tells parents to reward the children with an extra-special surprise or outing at the end of training.
If parents want to try training their child in a day, it's recommended to read up on all three of these experts and devise a program that works for their child. Nobody knows a child better than the parents.
Does Potty Training in a Day Really Work?
The most important thing parents want to know is if children can successfully learn to use the potty in a single day. Children are quick learners and if parents follow the steps outlined in these methods, they catch on surprisingly quickly.
Even if kids get it right away, implementation takes time. Once they get out in the "real world" where children may have to hold it until they reach a faraway bathroom or interrupt an engrossing play session to go potty, there are going to be occasional accidents. Parents should not expect perfection at first, but should respond appropriately to accidents and be consistent.
On the whole, potty training in a day is less stressful and drawn-out for parents than alternative methods, so it's worth a try. Various experts weigh in on one-day toilet training, and parents have a wealth of information at their disposal for implementing it.
Readers might also want to check out "Tips for Nighttime Potty Training."
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