Dr. Frank says to watch your child’s behavior. “When kids really have to go, they’ll dance and wiggle and sometimes grab their genitals,” she says. “Or if they have to poop, they’ll squat.” While you might be aware when your toddler needs to use the bathroom, kids don’t recognize the urge to go right away. They have to be mature enough to understand what their bodies are telling them.
When your child starts recognizing the urge, there might be some false alarms — moments when they run to the potty but don’t actually need to use it. Be patient. False alarms are the first step in the child gaining some control. Until then, a child is at the mercy of their parents, but when potty training begins, it is the first time they can take control over some element in their life. It is a first step toward independence.