Starting Good Toilet “Potty” Habits 

Practicing Good Potty Posture

Potty posture is how a child sits on the toilet when they are trying to pee or poop. The way a child sits can make a big difference in how easily their body works.

• Feet supported (Try a step stool or “squatty potty”)
• Knees raised above hips
• Chest slightly leaning forward towards thighs
• Stable base of support on toilet seat
  

Pairing with Diaphragmatic “Belly” Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as “Belly Breathing,” is a way that we breathe when our body is calm and focused. Adults often do this without realizing, but kids may need some help to learn. This is an important skill, as our pelvic floor muscles need to relax for us to control when we pee and poop. 

When a child:

• Breathes in, the pelvic floor gently relaxes
• Breathes out, the body can help push things out naturally

Ways to make Belly Breathing fun:

• Can have the child blow bubbles while on the toilet
• Can use a whistle or pinwheel, and give cues to breathe out slowly

Ways to Educate 

Interoception talks

Interoception is your body’s ability to notice signals from inside your body. Throughout the day, talk to your child about sensations their body is feeling. 

Try asking these questions:

• What does your body feel when it’s hungry? 
• How does your body let you know you are thirsty? 
• What does your body feel when it is hot or cold? How do you know when you need a coat?
• What does your body feel when it has to go to the bathroom? Is it different when you have to pee versus when you have to poop?

Basic Anatomy Education

Understanding basic anatomy is key for helping your child understand their body cues. Teach it like a journey through the body --

For peeing:

• “Your kidneys make pee.”
• “Pee travels down tubes to your bladder.”
• “Your bladder stores it until it’s time to go.”
• “Then it comes out when your body relaxes.”



For pooping:

• “Food goes into your stomach, then your intestines.”
• “Your body takes what it needs, and the rest becomes poop.”
• “Poop moves to the rectum and waits until it’s time to go.”

Keep words simple, but introduce basic terms like bladder and intestines so kids learn the anatomy.

Start Strengthening Today!

Once your child gets an evaluation, a physical therapist will be able to provide specific exercises for your child depending on their needs. However, starting strengthening activities right now will get your child ready! 

Tall Kneeling
This position is great for activating the core and pelvic floor muscles. In this position the child can color, draw, throw a ball, or blow bubbles. Any activity that is meaningful to them can be practiced in tall kneeling. 

Standing on one Leg

As you pick up one leg from the ground, your pelvic floor muscles automatically turn on to help keep you balanced. In this position the child can kick a ball, stomp bubbles, or put rings on cones. There are many options for how to practice standing on one leg.

Animal Walks

The exercises of bear crawls and crab walks are great activities for children to work on their overall core and pelvic floor strength. You can show them how to do it, or perform them together!

The small steps you take at home can make a big difference in helping your child feel more confident and successful with toileting. Building healthy habits, body awareness, and strength now can help prepare your child for therapy and support long-term progress. If you have concerns about your child’s potty habits or think pelvic floor therapy may help, contact Hogg Therapy at (859)353-3666 to learn more about scheduling an evaluation with our team.