For families of preschoolers, summertime is crunch time for potty training: 5 steps to getting it right

For families of toddlers, summertime means after-dinner trips to the ice cream shop, beach vacations, and saying goodbye to diapers just in time to start preschool in the fall.

More than 4 million children are enrolled in nursery school programs that require them to be potty-trained before they will be permitted to enter the preschool classroom, yet 40 percent of 3-year-olds are still in diapers.

The urgency of preschool readiness, combined with the convenience of fewer layers, and the opportunities to be outdoors, that come with the summer months, make summer the ideal time to accomplish this milestone.

For parents wanting to potty train their child this summer, here is a step-by-step guide:

Prepare your child for potty-training by introducing the idea even before they show signs of readiness. Keep books on hand about potty training, buy a potty chair and allow your child to sit on it fully clothed while they watch YOU use the toilet. Once they begin to show readiness signs, let your child pick out big kid underpants, and stock up (because accidents will happen)!

These include pulling at a wet diaper, hiding to pee or poop, telling you they have to go and staying dry longer than usual.

Set aside one week where you can devote your time to be with your toddler. Consistency by parents is the key to successful potty training.

Learn to recognize your child’s cues, such as wiggling, crouching down or leaving the room to be alone. When your child demonstrates these actions, direct them to the potty.

A routine works best for some children. Try having them sit on the potty at regular intervals, such as every 30 minutes.

Potty training is a process. It is not uncommon for your child to go three days with accidents before the idea clicks. Stick with it!

Do not scold, shame, or punish your child when they have an accident. Praise their efforts and let them know you’re excited when they are successful.

Make flushing, wiping, and washing hands part of the process from the start.

With patience and consistency, parents can trust that their child will soon achieve potty-training success and be on the road to a diaper-free lifestyle!