AboutTonya Expertise I can help with the following categories: infant-toddler care,curriculum for two through four year olds, child development associate (CDA), teacher-parent concerns, classroom projects and ideas, developmental questions, lesson planning, developmentally appropriate practice, child care director questions. I can give information based on my experiences, opinions, and education although I cannot answer questions that require psycholgical or developmental diagnosis.
Experience I have worked in the field of early childhood education for fifteen years. I previosly taught preschool and kindergarten. I am currently an administrator for a center accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. I also conduct and attend parent and teacher workshops on various topics related to early childhood.
Organizations National Association for the Education of Young Children
Publications Mailbox Magazine
Local Community Association Newsletter
Newsletter for local chapter of National Association for the Education of Young Children
Education/Credentials BS in Psychology with Early Childhood Credits
Infant-Toddler Certification
Currently working on MS in Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) Advisor
Level Six Maryland Credential
Expert: Tonya Date: 7/10/2008 Subject: potty training
Question I have a 3 1/2 year old boy who is potty trained. We have recently started him in a preschool program 3 days a week. He is having "accidents" at school (peeing and pooping). He poops in his pants just a little, when he realizes he is going in his pants, he then goes to the bathroom . Of course it is too late by then. They informed at the daycare that if he has anymore accidents hey will have to withdraw him. He has accidents at home too. I have tried everything, spanking, timeout, taking away privileges; I have also tried positive reinforcement, I made a treasure box and when he didn't have an accident at school I let him pick something out of the box. This worked for a while but now it doesn't seem to matter. I need some help, this is very stressful!!!
Answer Hi Tiffaney. Often when there are significant changes in a child's life (like birth of a sibling or starting a new school) there may be some regression in potty training. Here are some things that may work:
- avoid the negative punishments of spanking and taking away privileges. It just makes the idea of potty training more successful for your child.
- Focus on the positive. Lots of praise, hugs, and rewards are great. But here's the catch: the reward has to be something that he really likes and the sooner the reward comes the better. For example, it may be hard for your 3 year old to make the connection between a reward he gets at 5pm for something he did at 12pm.
- Maybe the school can get in on the positive reinforcement. Something like a sticker chart where you son gets a sticker for each time he uses the bathroom. And at the end of the day you can administer the reward.
- Ask your son's school if they would be willing to send him to the bathroom regularly as opposed to waiting for him to ask for the potty. He may be having so much fun in his new school that he forgets or doesn't want to stop playing to use the bathroom. Maybe if they tell him to go every hour he will have fewer accidents.
- Remember that children love attention. So any behavior (negative or positive) that gets them noticed will likely be repeated. So when he does have an accident you and his teachers should make as little a deal as possible (tell him to go change - make him responsible for cleaning up as much as he is able to on his own).
- As a last resort, look for a preschool center that doesn't require children to be 100% potty trained. Many schools want children to be potty trained because they do not have the space or materials (changing table,etc) to do diaper changes. So looking for a center that fits your child's needs may be another option.
I hope that these help...Keep me posted on your son's progress. I'd love to hear how he's doing.
