Recent generations have softened their attitudes to toilet training, but with high numbers of children starting school in nappies, are we waiting too long? Caroline Vollans
Recent guidance suggests that waiting for the child to be ‘ready’ is not always correct
Recent guidance suggests that waiting for the child to be ‘ready’ is not always correct

Early toilet training is seen as something from a bygone era, often associated with negative psychological effects. Parents in the UK are usually advised to wait for signs that the child is ready before starting. It may come as a surprise to hear that the Institute of Health Visiting (IHV) proposes something different.

Focusing primarily on children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), they say, in guidance from April, ‘starting early has shown to be particularly successful. Becoming toilet trained is about learning a set of skills that can be taught.’

The organisation Bladder & Bowel UK also focuses on the importance of learning skills, and comments, ‘It is important to remember that many children with typical development find learning the skills for toilet training difficult.’

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