You can’t wait for your little one to graduate from diapers to underwear, but your child has much more pressing things to do (those block towers aren’t going to build themselves). Thing is, even if your child is showing signs of potty training readiness — staying dry for an hour or two at a time, loudly vocalizing his bowel movements — he may be lacking the enthusiasm to use the toilet.
That’s why many parents use a potty training chart — a tool that relies on stickers, check marks or smiley faces to reward your tot[1] for a bathroom job well done. Here’s how it works.
What is a potty training chart?
A potty training chart is a fillable chart or calendar that tracks — and celebrates! — your toddler's bathroom progress. Not only can it help keep your child motivated throughout the potty training process, but it can also help you keep track of your little one's successes and setbacks.
There’s no one right way to set up a potty training chart, nor do you have to splurge on a fancy board. You and your tot can make your own using paper or poster board and some markers or fun stickers.
How to use a potty training chart
Each time your little one uses the potty successfully, fill an empty box on the chart with a sticker, a smiley face or a check mark. Once the chart is full at the end of the day or end of the week (you decide!), he gets a reward that you deem appropriate, like a small toy, sticker, yummy treat or another fun item or activity you know your child will love.
How you want to fill up the chart is up to you and your tot, but personalization is a great place to start. Here are a few strategies to try:[2]
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- Get artistic. To get your little one excited about participating, ask him to help you decorate the chart with fun stars or cartoon faces.
- Hang the chart at eye level for your child. That way, your tot will be able to see it and, later, apply his own stickers to it. You can keep the chart near the toilet — in the bathroom or in the playroom — or whenever he can see it.
- Personalize the boxes. For every milestone he crosses, have him draw a fun star, smiley face or check mark in the box. Or, if he has a favorite animal, superhero or movie character, you can order stickers with that on them to dial up the excitement. As long as he’s happy, the motivation to keep potty training should continue.
Different types of potty training charts
Some charts offer rewards just for using the potty, while others include more potty training goals. For example, you can also track milestones like asking to go to the potty, peeing on the potty, pooping on the potty, wiping, washing his hands or staying dry all day.
You can also organize the rows on your chart by goals (every time your tot asks to use the potty, he gets a sticker) or day of the week (on Monday, your tot would get a sticker for each of the goals he accomplished, like peeing on the potty or wiping by himself).
How can a potty training chart help your toddler learn to use the potty?
Overall, a potty training chart is a great tool that helps keep your toddler motivated while he’s learning to use the bathroom like a big kid. Seeing all those stars and stickers he’s earned is a visible sign of his success — and the more goals your tot can master, the more confident he’ll feel.
Free printable potty training chart
There are a variety of potty training charts available for parents to download and use during their tot’s potty training journey. You can even design your own with your child if you prefer. Below, find a potty training chart to download, print and customize if you want to.
Teaching your little one to go to the bathroom in the toilet can sometimes feel challenging, but it’s also one of the most rewarding milestones your child will reach. While most tots will be ready to start potty training between the ages of 2 and 3 1/2 years old, every child is different.
If your little one doesn’t take to potty training right away, shelve the potty training chart (and the baby potty) for now and try again in a few weeks.
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