• Developmental ability. Most moms and dads wonder when they should start toilet training. The answer depends on your child's developmental ability, which often differs from chronological age. Children of the same age do not always have the same skill level. Take, for instance, a couple of 3 year olds. One may be able to hop on one foot while the other falls during each attempt. A child develops according to his or her own timetable. Some move quickly, while others take it slowly. Before you begin toilet training, ask yourself a few simple questions:
  
  
  • Can my child recognize when she needs to use the toilet, and can she explain to me why she needs to use it?
    
  • Is my child able to zip, button, snap, and put on and take off his clothes?
    
  • Does my child have a positive outlook about starting toilet training and the ability to control bowel movement?
    
  • Can my child use the words "potty" or "toilet" in a simple sentence so I know when nature is calling?

If you answered "No" to any of these questions, STOP! You need to slow down and give your child more time to develop in these areas. This may not be the answer you wanted, but moving ahead may cause more problems in the future.

• Reasonable expectations. Setting reasonable expectations goes hand in hand with developmental readiness. Ask yourself these key questions:
  
  • Have I taught and practiced with my child ahead of time what it is I want him to do?
    
  • Have I consistently seen him do what I've asked with little or no help from me?
    
  • Have I modeled the behavior I want my child to follow?
    
  • Is she developmentally ready to do what I'm asking?

If you answer "Yes," then you may take the next step in toilet training.

In the coming weeks, look here for tips on

• The power of peers and siblings. One of the best ways to increase your child's interest in using the toilet is to enlist other toddlers and preschoolers to give encouragement.
  
• Setting up a sensible routine. Is your child training you, or are you training her?
  
• Prep work for toilet training. Most of the work you will do is in preparing for the day when your child is finally ready to use the toilet.
  
• The waiting game. Patience is the key when it comes to a child's willingness to be trained.
  
• Accidents will happen. Be prepared for setbacks and accidents. Your child is bound to have a few.

Did you know? Recent studies show the size of a child's vocabulary depends on how much the mother talks to the child.