Potty Training: Real Talk & Montessori-Inspired Tips That Actually Work
Practical, pressure-free guidance for parents of kids 0–5
Let’s be honest—potty training can feel like one big guessing game.
When should you start? How do you know if your child is ready? And how do you get through it without turning your home into a stress zone?
We’re cutting through the noise with some real-talk advice and Montessori-inspired tips to help you approach potty training with confidence and calm.
When Should I Start?
Every child is different, but most show signs of readiness between 18 months and 3 years. According to the Montessori approach, it’s best to look for developmental cues—not just age. These include:
Staying dry for longer periods
Showing interest in the bathroom or toilet
Letting you know when they’ve gone
Hiding to poop
Pulling pants up and down independently
If you see a few of these signs, you can gently begin the process.
Real-Life, Montessori-Inspired Tips
1. Use the real toilet—with the right setup.
Skip the tiny plastic potty if you can. Instead, use your actual toilet with a child-size seat adapter and a footstool. This gets your child used to the real thing and builds comfort long-term.
2. Let them flush, explore, and normalize the potty.
Before even starting, let your child flush the toilet, sit on it with clothes on, and observe others using it (if you’re comfortable). This takes away fear and builds familiarity.
3. Stop asking—start guiding.
Instead of “Do you want to use the potty?” say:
“It’s time to sit on the potty now.”
Offer potty breaks at predictable times:
First thing in the morning
After meals and snacks
Before going outside
Before naps and bedtime
4. Ditch diapers during awake time.
Put them in training underwear so they can feel when they’re wet. This builds awareness and shortens the learning curve.
5. Create a “potty shelf.”
Keep clean underwear, a change of clothes, and wipes in a low basket or shelf. If they have an accident, calmly say, “Let’s get clean together,” and let them help with the process.
6. Stay cool during accidents.
Accidents are part of the learning process. Avoid shame or frustration. Use calm, confident language:
“You had an accident. Your body is still learning. Let’s clean it up.”
7. Skip rewards—use encouragement instead.
Montessori encourages building intrinsic motivation. So skip the M&Ms and instead say:
“You listened to your body. That’s amazing!”
“You went to the potty all by yourself!”
8. Talk about it outside the bathroom.
Read books, watch short potty videos, and use words like “pee,” “poop,” “toilet,” and “flush” so your child hears and uses the right vocabulary naturally.
Remember: This is a process, not a performance.
There’s no prize for being the first to ditch diapers—but there’s power in helping your child gain independence, confidence, and body awareness. Be patient, be consistent, and give yourself grace. You’ve got this.
Got questions or tips that worked for your family?
Drop a comment below! We’d love to learn from you.
