Best for this moment
for calmer, lower-pressure moments, especially when you need an indoor option.
Potty High-Five Chart
At a glance: Every potty attempt earns a high-five and sticker — celebrating trying, not outcomes. A 5-minute, low-energy indoor activity for ages 19m–4y.
Create a simple chart on the bathroom wall. Every time your toddler sits on the potty — regardless of whether anything happens — they earn a high-five and place a sticker on the chart. After filling a row, celebrate with a silly dance or their favourite song. The focus is entirely on the attempt, never the result. This reframes potty training from pass/fail to a streak of brave tries.
Parent tip
Set out construction paper and stickers before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.
What success looks like
A good outcome is a few minutes of engaged play, some back-and-forth with you, and a small sign of progress in body awareness.
More help for this situation
Potty training
Potty time
Low-pressure play that builds body awareness and makes the bathroom feel less scary.
Read the potty training guideInstructions
- Draw a simple grid on construction paper — five squares in a row
- Stick it on the bathroom wall at your toddler's eye level
- Each time they sit on the potty, give an enthusiastic high-five
- Let them choose a sticker and place it in the next square
- When a row is full, celebrate: silly dance, favourite song, or special high-five
- Start a new row — 'Let's see if we can fill this one too!'
- Never remove stickers for accidents — the chart only grows
Why it helps
Rewarding effort rather than outcome is a core principle of growth mindset research. When toddlers are praised for trying, they develop intrinsic motivation and resilience. A visible, growing chart provides concrete evidence of their bravery, which builds the self-efficacy needed to push through discomfort. The accumulation of stickers also makes progress tangible in a way that abstract praise cannot.
Variations
- Use themed stickers that match your toddler's current obsession (dinosaurs, animals, vehicles).
- Let your toddler decorate the chart with crayons or stamps between attempts.
- Create a matching chart for teddy to fill alongside your toddler's chart.
Safety tips
- Use stickers that are large enough not to be a choking hazard.
- Keep the chart simple — too many rows can feel like an impossible task.
- Never withhold stickers or express disappointment — every sit counts equally.
When to pause and seek extra support
Stop if your child becomes distressed, unsafe, or consistently frustrated by the activity. If play, behaviour, or development worries keep showing up across settings, check in with a qualified professional.
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