How to Potty Train at 18 Months Old
With a Montessori approach tailored to your 18 month old’s development, you can tune into their natural 12-24 month sensitive period for toileting independence, and make it a connection-building and empowering journey for both you and your child.
Here's how you guide your child to be potty ready by 18 month old:
Build Toileting Awareness
Recognize your child's natural toileting cues as early as possible and respond to them by narrating, and changing them.
Put words to the sensations and processes. Model attention to this important bodily function. Normalize the process of using a toilet and potty, building their interest and desire to participate.
“My belly feels heavy. It’s time to go pee. Where is the toilet? There it is!”
Establish Self-Care Routines and Rituals
Create a consistent daily routine around toileting. Use cues like mealtimes, waking up, or before bedtime to build awareness of their needs. Practice daily diaper free time. Inviting your child to participate in your self-care routine. And introduce skills and knowledge that supports their independence as early as possible.
“Mommy puts her shirt over her head and PULLLS with her muscles. Olive puts her shirt over her head and PULLLS with her muscles. Oh, peek-a-boo. Now I see you.”
Explain the shared Role of Diapers and Potties
Introduce the concept of catching pees and poops into a diaper, a potty, and toilet, through playful activities and engaging conversations.
“Dada’s going poop. Shhh - plunk! I heard the plunk. Did you? Jake’s poop will go plunk in his potty too.”
Clean and care for your home’s toileting environment and their clothing together. Invite them to replace the toilet paper roll, fold wash clothes and provide a spray bottle with a little bit of lemon vinegar so they can clean their potty, even while they are still in diapers, so it’s “ready” for the next person.
“Baby Ty wants to learn about using the potty too. Soon you can show him how to clean it. And use it.”
The Importance of Home
Find ways to optimize your home environment to support potty independence. Use stand-alone potty chairs that are small enough for your little one to independently mount with their feet flat on the floor. Create clear paths to the potty. Be creative when thinking about what will support the transition to a potty, like what areas have washable floors, making clean up kits for each potty area, connecting with helpful services, and a community that inspires you and supports your progress.
Putting It All Together: Ready for Potty Independence
When you have prepared yourself, your toddler, and your home to make the transition from diapers to potty, the switch is easier on everyone. Your genuine interest, delight, and actions will spark their interest and collaboration.
Commit to staying curious with your child throughout the process, giving them the much needed space and support to master potty independence.
“When you listen to your body, it tells you what it needs. You made it to the potty in time for your poo. Just like daddy. Wow. You’re doing it!”
Make use of all of this preparation when following the 5 Steps to a Potty Trained Toddler. And no matter where you are in your journey, find ways to have fun figuring it out together.
The 5 Simple Steps to a Potty Trained Toddler
Recommended Books: Diaper Free Before Three and Toileting Awareness and check out our recommended products for potty training here.
ERIKA FRASER is the founder of Bueno Market and the newly launched EMMI Parenting app, where parents, educators, and businesses use her courses and tools to find joy, purpose, and community in early parenthood.
She’s also the writer behind Raise In Place, the online publication with a community of over 500 families exploring our natural capacity to nurture. She started her career in as a UX and Design consultant for technology startups after receiving her BA Economics from University of Waterloo. As a mom of 3 little ones, and with over 20 years of professional Design and Education experience, she guides families with evidence-based and principled practices, inspired by Montessori and Permaculture, to help parents grow and thrive together with their children. Learn more at buenomarket.com.