How Does Montessori Support Children During Potty Training? - post

Potty training is such an exciting milestone — and yes, it can sometimes feel overwhelming too! As a Montessori #teacher, I’ve seen many families go through this stage, and what I always remind them is that potty training doesn’t need to be rushed, forced, or #stressful. In fact, when we look at it through a Montessori lens, it can be a beautiful opportunity to #nurture independence and confidence in your child.

Following the Child: Sensitive Periods

One of the things I love most about Montessori philosophy is how it helps us observe children closely and respond to their natural #development. Montessori identified what we call sensitive periods — special windows of time when children are especially eager to learn certain skills.

Toileting often aligns with a child’s sensitive period for order, movement, and independence, usually between 18 months and 3 years of age. This is when children start wanting to do more for themselves — “I do it!” becomes their favorite phrase. That natural drive makes this the perfect moment to support them in potty training.

This idea is explored in depth in our course Sensitive Periods in Montessori: Guiding Natural Learning. It’s a wonderful resource if you’d like to learn how to recognize these #developmental windows and work with them instead of against them.

Preparing the Environment

In Montessori #classrooms, we always talk about the prepared environment — spaces designed so children can succeed independently. This same principle works beautifully at #home during potty training.

Here are some tips I’ve shared with families over the years:

• Place a child-sized potty or a secure seat on the toilet so your child can access it with ease.

• Keep a step stool by the sink so they can wash their hands without help.

• Choose simple, easy-to-manage clothing, like elastic waistbands, so they can practice dressing and undressing themselves.

• Keep the routine consistent. Try offering the potty after meals, before naps, and when waking up. Children thrive on predictability.

Tangible Activity: The “Potty Basket”

Here’s one of my favorite little activities to make potty training both practical and fun:

1. Find a small basket or bin and let your child decorate it. Stickers, ribbons, or even washable markers make it feel personal.

2. Together, stock the basket with a few essentials: training underwear, a small towel, and wipes in a child- #safe container.

3. Offer your child choice. For example, let them pick between two pairs of underwear each time. This simple step gives them ownership and taps into their sensitive period for independence.

I’ve seen children light up when they get to make these decisions. It transforms potty time from something adults “make them do” into something they want to do because it’s theirs.

More Than Potty Training

The Montessori approach reminds us that potty training isn’t only about the toilet — it’s about building self-respect, independence, and confidence. When children feel capable of caring for their own needs, they grow in ways that extend far beyond this one milestone.

By tuning into sensitive periods and preparing the environment thoughtfully, we create space for children to succeed joyfully. And when we step back and let them #lead, we often find that what once felt like a challenge becomes a moment of celebration — for the child and for us.

If you’d like to learn more about supporting children during their sensitive periods, I recommend exploring Sensitive Periods in Montessori: Guiding Natural Learning. It’s designed to help caregivers understand these crucial stages and provide the right support at the right time.

A Gentle Reminder

Potty training is not a race. Each child moves at their own pace, and our role is to guide, not pressure. With patience, observation, and a prepared environment, you’ll help your child take this important step toward independence with pride.

To keep learning, growing, and getting support—follow ChildCareED.com on social media! Together, we can turn those roar moments into times of #growth-and connection. #teachers