When is the right time to take off your child’s diaper? How should you approach it? How soon should it happen? Questions like these are common among families with young children and are often accompanied by anxiety, comparisons, and external expectations. At our school, we recognize that potty training is a process that unfolds at each child’s own pace, requiring sensitivity, acceptance, and collaboration between school and family.
be.Living’s Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Camila Maia, explains that potty training doesn’t happen overnight: “It’s not like flipping a switch. It’s a process of physical, neurological, emotional, and cognitive maturation. Each child gives their own signs when they’re ready for this transition. There isn’t a single rule that dictates the right time.”
Camila emphasizes the importance of not giving in to external pressures or comparing one child’s journey to another’s: “Just because one child was fully potty trained at two doesn’t mean another will be ready at the same age. We need to pay attention to each child’s individual development rather than following rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches.”
This maturation process becomes evident in small, everyday behaviors. A child may start showing discomfort with a wet or soiled diaper, begin notifying you after they’ve gone, and eventually signal before they need to go. There are also physical signs that indicate their body is becoming more coordinated, such as climbing stairs with alternating legs or jumping with both feet together. Typically, these milestones occur between two and a half and three years old, though there is no strict timeline. The school’s psychomotor specialist, Ilci Miranda Aulicino, frequently reminds parents that a child’s body must be physically ready for this transition and that pushing the process too soon can lead to frustration rather than success.
At school, the group setting also plays a crucial role in this journey, offering children social motivation and reinforcement as they navigate this important developmental stage. “When children see their peers using the toilet or celebrating being diaper-free, it sparks their interest and curiosity,” says Camila. This excitement is further reinforced by a special ritual the school holds to mark this important transition: “Bye Bye Diapers.” This rite of passage is carefully planned in collaboration with the family. It begins with an agreement among the school, the family, and the child on the official day they will say goodbye to diapers.
Leading up to this milestone, the child participates in a countdown. On the chosen day, they arrive at school without a diaper, bringing along the underwear they picked out with their family. To celebrate, a special gathering is held where the child proudly presents their favorite underwear. Then, with the support of their teachers, they go to the bathroom, remove their diaper, toss it in the trash, and put on their new underwear—cheered on by applause and encouragement from everyone.
“It’s a big moment. This ritual helps children recognize their achievement and understand that they’ve grown. It’s one of the key milestones in becoming aware of their own development,” Camila explains.
From “Bye Bye Diapers” onward, daytime diapers are no longer part of the child’s routine, including during car rides, visits to grandparents, or outings to restaurants. “Ideally, there should be no switching back and forth between diapers and underwear. When that happens, it creates confusion, and the child may struggle to understand whether they should use the toilet or not, especially in the middle of play,” Camila adds. However, diapers may still be used at night for a while until the child is ready for nighttime training.
It’s natural for occasional accidents to occur even after the ritual, and Camila advises families to handle them with patience: “An accident is not a failure. It’s part of the process. The most important thing is ensuring the child doesn’t feel frustrated or ashamed. Our role is to support them, reassure them, and guide them through this journey.”
Families should carefully observe their child’s signs before deciding to move forward with potty training. “Sometimes a child is comfortable peeing in the toilet but insists on wearing a diaper to poop. This shows they’re not fully ready yet. There’s no such thing as ‘partial potty training.’ A child needs to feel comfortable using the toilet for both before we can say they’ve fully transitioned,” Camila explains.
More than any technique or formula found on social media, Camila emphasizes that the key is for families to focus on their own child’s readiness, with respect and attentiveness to their individual needs. “There are no universal rules. Every child has their own timing. That’s why it’s crucial for families to avoid being influenced by external expectations or comparisons with siblings, friends, or relatives. Instead, they should observe their child with sensitivity and maintain an open dialogue with the school.”
Some simple practices can help make this process smoother. Reading children’s books about using the toilet, introducing the child to the toilet in a positive way, providing a seat reducer and a footrest for comfort, and naturally acknowledging when a diaper is full can all encourage the transition—without pressure. “This should always be done in a lighthearted way, without making it feel like a demand,” Camila advises.
Beyond being a developmental milestone, potty training is also an opportunity to strengthen bonds, build autonomy, and show children they are capable of great achievements—in their own time, with love and support. “When school and families work together toward the same goal, the process is much more respectful, peaceful, and positive for everyone.”
