Diapering
For children who wear diapers or toilet training underwear, each family must provide a supply for each week. PCDS does not supply these items, and families will be notified if a child is running low on supplies. There is no borrowing of diapers from other children.
The teachers look forward to assisting your child in learning to use the potty. We see potty training as a skill your child will learn gradually. Children need a lot of help at the beginning of potty training and are gradually able to do more and more themselves. Your child will be able to handle potty training all by himself.
Readiness for Potty Training
- Your Child can stay dry for at least two hours at a time.
- Your child knows and can let an adult know when he is wet or has a bowel movement.
- Your child can tell you that he is wet or soiled in his diaper.
- Your child can undress himself to go potty. Your child can go to the potty by himself.
- Your child follows simple directions.
- Your child shows pride and joy when he teams up with a new skill.
At times, there are special circumstances that can affect your child’s readiness, such as recent changes in the household (serious illness, new baby, moving, parental separation) or a change in school. In these cases, you may decide to wait for a time or proceed carefully. If you, as parents, know what to expect during the potty training process, communication with your child’s teachers is crucial. You must be willing and able to devote your time and attention to helping your child learn to use the potty.
Clothing for Potty Training
When your child is ready to begin potty training, you will want to make sure that they have clothes that make this process as easy as possible for them. In the beginning, the time between when your child realizes that they need to use the potty and when they actually do will be very short. They will not have time to struggle with their clothes. Being able to get their own clothes off and to go when they need to without assistance is very important.
We have included a list of clothes to help your child during potty training. We have also included a list of clothes that could make things very difficult. As your child begins learning to use the potty, we recommend thick training pants. As they experience success, you can switch to thinner underwear.
We will change your child whenever he/she is wet or has a bowel movement. We will never allow your child to remain in wet or soiled clothes. We will be doing a lot of changing and will need a lot of extra clothes. Please bring at least (5) pairs of training pants, (2) pairs of socks, (3) pairs of pants, and extra shoes if available.
Clothing That Will Help Children Master Potty Training
- Elastic-waist, loose-fitting pants — We recommend these pants over those with buttons or snaps because they are easy for children to pull up and down by themselves.
- Waist-length t-shirts – longer undershirts interfere with potty training.
- Thick padded training pants – Use thick padded training pants when potty training starts. They absorb better when children have accidents, and children can pull them up and down themselves.
Clothing That Makes Potty Training Difficult
Overalls or pants with belts, snaps, or buttons
- Tight fitting pants
- One-piece outfits and jumpers
- Onesize-type undershirt
- Dresses, skirts, and tights Pull-up (disposable diapers)