Many adults expect children to be able to function like adults much sooner than most children actually can. Providers can help parents by sharing developmental signs of readiness. Children can stay dry for longer periods of time, or overnight. Children have words for using the toilet. Children can stand and sit well on their own.
Children can pull pants up and down for themselves.
There is more to toilet training than just physical maturity. For children to be successful, they also need the ability to understand instructions and the willingness to comply with adults. If children are experiencing a strong streak of independence and negativity, toilet training might best be delayed for a while. When children observe other children or adult family members using the toilet, they will often want to imitate this behavior. Other basic strategies that parents and providers should discuss are the use of praise and rewards for using the toilet, the use of punishment for accidents, and strategies for gaining cooperation.