Stage 3 – Toilet independence
The toddler can walk and communicate verbally. This final stage progresses the child through using the toilet assisted to non-assisted. It is the process of ‘toilet training’ and the stage where most Western parents begin the toilet learning journey. For elimination communication children, it is the process of bladder control and the recognition of the need to use the toilet as stool management is generally learned already. The bladder can now hold more, and the frequency of urination is less. For children with delayed toilet learning, it is often the process of stool management as well. Privacy and independence become important for a child. This is the stage where there is most likely to be a potty strike or power struggle – or worse, toilet anxiety and excessive holding on. This can be alleviated through the natural progression of stage 1 and 2, where toilet assistance provides a lot of practice.
This stage is important as it is the final stage to toilet independence and removal of the diaper safety net. For babies in cultures where elimination is assisted, daytime toilet independence can occur from the age of 1 but always after the child starts to walk. For those who delay, we are seeing children ages 3 to 6 still wearing nappies or having accidents.
This article is written by R Larsen, author of Elimination Communication Babies – from birth to toilet independence – A step-by-step plan. Get a copy online at www.eliminationcommunicationbabies.com and join the support network on Facebook at Elimination Communication Babies Support.
