TinyStepper
Child in pyjamas holding a stuffed bear, warm bedside lamp glowing

Potty High-Five Chart

Every potty attempt earns a high-five and sticker — celebrating trying, not outcomes.

Activity details

19m–4y5 minslowindoorConstruction PaperStickers

Instructions

Get ready
  • Draw a simple grid on construction paper — five squares in a row
  • Stick it on the bathroom wall at your toddler's eye level
  1. Draw a simple grid on construction paper — five squares in a row
  2. Stick it on the bathroom wall at your toddler's eye level
  3. Each time they sit on the potty, give an enthusiastic high-five
  4. Let them choose a sticker and place it in the next square
  5. When a row is full, celebrate: silly dance, favourite song, or special high-five
  6. Start a new row — 'Let's see if we can fill this one too!'
  7. Never remove stickers for accidents — the chart only grows

Parent tip

Set out construction paper and stickers before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Relaxed child lying on a floor cushion with blanket and pinwheel in a cosy calm corner

What success looks like

A few quiet minutes together without pressure. If your child relaxes even slightly, that’s self-regulation building.

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.

Why it helps

Birth to 5 Matters identifies co-regulation — where adults and children work together toward emotional balance — as the foundation from which children develop independent self-regulation. 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. The EYFS Personal, Social and Emotional Development goals identify self-regulation as a key milestone — and calm, playful practice is how children get there.

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.

Want to try another?

Bedside Comfort Tour

Get weekly activity ideas for your toddler

One email a week with practical toddler activities, behaviour tips, and developmental insights. No spam, unsubscribe any time.