Okuzeka
Child Development & Early Education vocabulary · Physical and Motor Development

Toilet training

Meaning in child development & early education, with examples

nounCore term

In child development & early education, toilet training means: The process of a young child learning to use a potty or toilet instead of a nappy, usually started when they show signs of being physically and emotionally ready.

In Turkish: tuvalet eğitimi, tuvalet alışkanlığı kazanma

How it is used

Potty training is the more informal British phrase and toilet training the more neutral one. Staff and parents talk about starting, signs of readiness, accidents and being 'dry'. Nurseries usually agree a shared approach with the family.

Example sentences

  1. She has started toilet training, so please send in some spare clothes.

  2. Most children finish toilet training during the day before they are dry at night.

Common collocations

  • potty training
  • start toilet training
  • signs of readiness
  • toilet trained
  • have an accident
  • nappyA piece of soft cloth or a disposable pad worn by a baby or young child to catch urine and faeces before they can use a toilet.
  • routineThe regular order of events in a child's day, such as arrival, snack, play, meals, nap and home time, which helps children feel secure and know what comes next.
  • partnership with parentsWorking closely with parents and carers as equal partners, sharing information and decisions so that home and setting support the child together.
  • milestoneA skill that most children learn within a typical age range, such as smiling, sitting without support, walking or saying first words, used to follow a child's progress.

More terms: Physical and Motor Development

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: