have some control over their bowel and bladder.  They may begin to indicate when they are emptying their bowel or bladder, perhaps by interrupting what they are doing and moving somewhere else, concentrating on what they are doing or telling you that they are wet or have soiled. Showing an awareness of being wet or soiled. Modern disposable nappies are very absorbent though, and your child may never have felt the sensation of being wet. You could try putting a non absorbent liner in the nappy or your child could wear a pair of cotton pants underneath the nappy to provide this sensation; or you could try using cloth nappies. See if your child feels uncomfortable or asks for a nappy change. Your child has developed the language skills to understand simple requests such as 'please put your toys away' or 'go and get the potty'. It's best to wait until your child is fairly well co-ordinated and can, for instance, get on and off a potty and manage to pull pants up or down with only a little help. Showing an interest in others' using the toilet and wanting to imitate. Enjoying praise. Once the signs are there, when should I start potty training? Try to plan ahead and choose a time when you can devote your time to potty training, with few distractions or changes happening in the household.  It's also a good idea to pick a time when your child's going through a co-operative stage if possible.