Toilet Training Resources (free interoception printable)!

A natural part of every body's daily life!

Toilet training is a massive milestone when it is achieved. 
 
There are so many factors that can affect a child's ability to use the toilet consistently.  Whether they are developing at a typical rate or not, we can use a range of strategies to help with the process. 

As an occupational therapist, we consider forward and backward chaining, the prompt hierarchy, the child's environment and the level of support they need. In this article, I have collated some practical resources that you can use to assist with teaching toilet training. Keep reading to find out about a free printable to support body awareness and interoception. 

Toilet Training resources

1. Toilet training Book - by the Functional Skills Therapy Team 
The Toileting Book is a comprehensive resource covering every aspect of toilet training.  I was a contributing author to this book. 

• Written by a team of experienced pediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists with decades of experience  
• Packed with information on toilet training readiness and achievement of toileting success
• Includes Toilet Training Guides for special populations (children with fine or gross motor needs, behavioral or cognitive challenges, physical disabilities, etc.) including Sensory Processing Disorder, Trauma-Informed Needs, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injuries
• Provides information on interoception and the role this sensory system plays in potty training
• Discusses common toileting equipment and special needs toileting tools
• Includes tips and suggestions for individualized toilet training 

This book is available in digital, e-book format AND in a physical, soft-cover book format. Purchase the physcial, soft-cover book HERE

2. Videos with stories and songs
There are range of videos and songs that I use to assist with teaching toileting skills.  Here are some of my favourites. 

• Tom's Toilet triumph 
• Princess Polly's Potty
• Pirate Pete's Potty
• Push the Poopy out
• Baby Shark's Potty song
• Peppa Pig's Potty Training
• The Toilet Song by the Wiggles
• Constipation in Kids: What your poo is telling you
• A Journey Inside your body
• What if you hold your poop for too long? 
• What if you hold your urine for too long?

3. Social stories 
We use social stories with simple text and pictures (or photographs) to talk about the steps needed to use the toilet. The visual sequence can help with ordering and organisation skills.  It can help to develop routine and expectations.  Toileting can be broken down into component parts such as identifying body signals, sitting on the toilet, using the toilet, using toilet paper, cleaning oneself, flushing the toilet, washing and drying hands.  There is a social story in the book mentioned above.  Here are a few more resources. 

• Poop goes to Poopland
• I can push out my poos!
• Toileting social story
• Going to the toilet social situation (Twinkl)
• Social Story Potty Training girl and Social Story Potty Training Boy
• Using the bathroom at school
• Potty training editable boy and girl
• How to use the urinal
• Flushing is loud social story
• Using the bathroom visual aids
• Using the bathroom social story​​

4. Visual Supports
Similarly to social stories ... we use visual supports to help with understanding concepts, provide consistent information and promote independence. 

To support interoception skills for toileting, I have developed these visual supports which provide information about body signals before toiletting, a narrative that the child could say to themselves before they go, the actions they can complete and how they may feel afterwards.  There is a page for boys, girls and a third page for older children/teens.

To get your free resource, use the link below for the YKOT shop!
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Toilet Time Interoception Supports

5. Picture books - Here are just a few!

•  No more nappies by Marion Cocklico
• Ms Rachel: Potty time with Bean
• Poo Poo Bum Bum Wee Wee by Stephen Cowell
• P is for Potty (Sesame Street lift the flap)
• Usborne Why do we need a potty?
• I pooped inthe potty today! by Dillan Slobodian
• Are you feeling cold Yuki? by Kay Al-Ghani
• Little Mousey has that Potty feeling by Didi Dragon

This contains Amazon Affliate links.

Did you notice the resources that I didn't provide? 

Reward charts. 

While I think there is a place for reward charts with some children, we are moving away from these in every day practice.  It is more helpful to help your children to recognise their body signals and respond to them. For more information about interoception and body awareness, read this article "Body scan check: Interoceptive awareness for children". 
​

I would love to hear what your favourite toilet training resources are! Let me know and don't forget to download your free printable visual aids!

​Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a contributing author of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
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