On the other hand, it can be helpful to praise children when they go on the potty. Actions that are positively reinforced are likely to be repeated. It's important for parents to bear in mind that potty training is no indicator of a child's intelligence or of your parenting skills. It's common for children to learn to urinate in the potty sooner than they perform bowel movements because bowel movements require a little more control. You may also find that it is faster to potty train your daughter than your son since boys have to learn when to stand up and when to sit down.
Many boys begin by sitting down for both urination and bowel movements.
Despite potty training, children may still have an accident once in a while. When this happens, do not punish the child or make the child feel he or she has done something wrong. Dr. Paula Prezioso is a clinical assistant of pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine.