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Remedial (!) toilet training for 2 yrs and up: Part 3 of our Montessori-inspired EC series

Available in these languages: Italian

remedial toilet learning after 2

Nice to have you back! Today's episode is the third in our four-part series based on the Montessori approach to toilet learning, starting at birth. Over the course of four weeks, we are deconstructing Merry Hadden’s fantastic Montessori toileting article and emphasizing how elimination communication is a truly Montessori-friendly toilet learning method.

Today's episode will focus on part three - remedial toilet learning past two years of age.

Merry refers to any potty training after two years of age as “remedial” toilet learning.

REMEDIAL? Wow! I just love how Montessori educators use the most accurate word possible in speaking of and with children - remedial! I would not have the guts to call it that on my website, but since I’m a little biased, I googled the definition of remedial and discovered that it also means:

“corrective, curative, restorative, and health-giving.”

Ah. Ok I get it now!

You see, if we are not following the natural laws of development (which we covered in the first part of this series), and have not taken to heart the role of the adult and preparing the environment (part two) - and if we have not “given the child the right information from the beginning” as Merry recommends - then toilet learning after 2 years old would be considered remedial.

After missing so much of the developmental picture, those parents toilet training after 2 years old will need to help their child “restore” her/his natural propensity for good hygiene, cleanliness, and order.

A parent will also need to “correct” the poor physical sensitivity and poor hygiene habits their child has developed from wearing hyper-wicking disposable diapers for 2-4 full years.

And, we will need to “give the child health” by teaching her or him to put their waste where it belongs, to maintain healthy skin and a well-functioning excretory system.

So, “remedial toilet training” it is!

No matter what you call it, today I’ll share some great tips from Merry’s article for those of you who have missed the Elimination Communication window of 0-18 months - if you have a child two years or older that you, the parents, are ready to potty train, or if you know someone who does - this mind-opening episode is for you.

Today I’ll share:

  • The six unique goals we have for toilet learning with a child past the age of 2
  • Six tips for parents working with potty training a 2 year old
  • The specific attitudes we should have toward a 2+ year old working on remedial toilet learning
  • How to give a child “choices” in the toileting routine
  • How to set up a montessori-friendly bathroom
  • How to involve the child in cleanup 
  • A few tips from our readers

Links and other resources mentioned today:

Download the Transcript

If you can't listen to this episode right now (um, sleeping baby!?)...download and read the transcript here:

Transcript download: Remedial

Watch the Video Version

If you want to watch me record today’s podcast episode, you can do that on my youtube version right here:

Thanks for Listening!

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What stood out to you from today’s episode? Anything you’re going to start doing with your 2 year old this week? Please leave a comment below!

I look forward to chatting with you in the comments.

xx Andrea

Andrea Olson

About Andrea Olson

I'm Andrea and I spend most of my time with my 6 children (all under 12 yo) and the rest of my time teaching other new parents how to do Elimination Communication with their 0-18 month babies. I love what I do and try to make a difference in one baby or parent's life every single day. (And I love, love, love, mango gelato.)

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