Montessori Potty Learning: From Start to Finish

In the our potty learning 2.0 series, following our second's progress as he has learned to use the potty on his own, I have discussed signs of readiness, what we do to start, how to have a no-pressure attitude, why praise and rewards are not recommended and the distinction between potty learning and potty training.

Last, in my potty learning series, I wanted to give you an overview of what potty learning looked like for us, from start to finish. Hopefully, these same steps will be successful for your child.

Following the specific needs of both our first two sons through their potty learning journey, I have found that these steps have worked wonderfully in providing both them and Tharin and I, with a positive toileting experience.

In fact, as we begin again at step one with our baby, gently introducing him to the concept of using the toilet, I am excited to go through this process once again.

Yes, excited.

If that seems totally foreign to you, I encourage you to do some research on Montessori potty learning, and find a way to make it work for your family. I promise you it will completely transform your toileting.

* This post includes affiliate links at no cost to you. The Fishies in a Row earns a small commission on products purchased through these links and are so thankful for your support. 

* This post includes affiliate links at no cost to you. The Fishies in a Row earns a small commission on products purchased through these links and are so thankful for your support. 

Potty Learning With Montessori | Part 5 (Last One)

This will likely be my last update on the potty learning journey our son has been on, as he seems to have come to a pretty full understanding of it. Most excitingly, he has gotten himself up in the night to pee twice in the past week, and I am confident he will continue to develop this response.

Potty Learning With Montessori | Part 4

Since my last update on potty learning, our son is almost one hundred percent successful, aside from bedtime. Accidents still happen, but they are rare, and we do not make a big deal of them.

Potty Learning with Montessori | Part 3

Over Christmas, we took a break from potty learning, and I was concerned he would have lost the momentum he had gained, but he has been very successful in the past weeks. In fact, he took what felt like a huge leap in the right direction after Christmas when he began allowing me to suggest times he might need to go.

This is a huge deal because I am able to remind him to use the potty before naps and bed, or before leaving somewhere. I am careful to be respectful and pressure him, only intervening when I know it is necessary.

Potty Learning with Montessori | Part 2

For the past two weeks, we have been really relaxed about potty learning, allowing him to choose diapers, underwear, or to go nude each day. I usually try to encourage him to use underwear or go
nude at least once a day so he notices when he wets or has a chance to go on the potty.

Potty Learning with Montessori | Part 1

When we moved into the camping trailer in August, I was determined to start potty training our son as I thought he was showing most of the signs of readiness.

At first, he was willing to sit for long periods of time without complaint, and we would read the special book I had purchased for potty training. He had no success, and eventually tired of sitting on the potty. I began trying to bribe him with candy if he would go on the potty, which always ended in a meltdown because he was much too young to understand bribery.

It felt wrong to me. I was stressed out and he would hold his pee for hours at a time until I put his diaper on. Eventually, we decided he needed a break, and I did not revisit seriously trying to train him until we had moved into the rental.


In that time, I did a bit of reading and especially liked what I read here and here.