3-min read
2025-08-26
3-min read
Development isn’t a race. It’s a flow.
Every child—and parent—is figuring it out at their own pace.
Instead of milestones, we encourage you to focus on this amazing moment.
Your child’s brain makes more than one million neural connections per second in these first three years. Simple, consistent interactions with them today can have profound, lifelong benefits.
Here’s how little one’s brain is developing this month, and how you can support their progress.
Developmental Highlight
We first explored sensory integration and the 8 senses back in month 2. Interoception is the perception of internal sensations and awareness of bodily signals, like feeling full and the need to use the bathroom. Developing interoception supports emotional regulation, as well as this month’s topic, potty training.
The decision to start potty training should align with little one’s interoception and your family's reality. Be aware that potty training is often confusing and fraught with fear at first. Little one’s taking control of their bodily functions for the first time. It’s a huge responsibility that feels unnatural.
Toilet learning varies widely across cultures and families. Children are generally ready to begin when they can:
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Feel pee or poop ready to come out before it happens
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Follow simple instructions
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Stay dry for 2+ hours during the day or through naps
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Understand language like “hold it” and “let it go”
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Show interest in toilet use or discomfort in dirty diapers
Don’t force little one to potty train before they’re ready. This can set things back for months. The more relaxed you are about the process, the more they will be, too.
Brain-Building Activity
Full Bladder
Routine: Bathroom time
Awareness and control of urination generally comes before awareness and control of bowel movements. Try this activity for peeing first, and eventually for pooping.
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Ask little one how much pee is in their belly. “Is it a little full or a lot full?”
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If it’s a lot full, tell little one, “Let’s try to let it out on the potty.”
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Guide them to the potty.
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Praise little one for trying to pee, even if they’re not able to let go successfully.
You’ve Got This
Think of a time you had performance anxiety. This is what little one experiences as they sit down on the potty and try to let go on demand. Your patience and compassion send a powerful message that it’s the practice that counts. Little one doesn’t have to get it right the first (or second, or third…) time they sit on the potty.
Pushback from little one can be the most difficult part of potty training. It’s important not to pressure or force them, due to your own timing constraints and concerns. This can exacerbate performance anxiety and lead to constipation and delayed toilet training.
Potty training can be stressful for everyone, and accidents are normal. Taking a small pause during the stress of potty training—or any activity—can help you respond with intention rather than reaction. Try these exercises.
Grounding Exercise: Reconnect with the present moment by taking in your environment. Take note of:
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5 things you can see
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4 things you can feel
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3 things you can hear
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2 things you can smell
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1 thing you can taste
Box Breathing: Focus on your breath to reduce anxiety and control your emotions during stressful moments.
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Inhale for 4 seconds.
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Hold for 4 seconds.
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Exhale for 4 seconds.
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Hold for 4 seconds.
Cold Water Reset: Splash cold water on your face or rinse your hands to shift your mental state.
