Best for this moment
when your toddler needs focused engagement, especially when you need an indoor option.
Potty Progress Path
At a glance: Draw stepping stones on paper from 'nappy' to 'potty' and let your child walk along them — making the potty journey visible, physical, and fun. A 10-minute, medium-energy indoor activity for ages 19m–3y.
Draw a path of 5-6 stepping stones on large paper or on the floor with chalk. The first stone says 'nappy', the last says 'potty!' — with steps in between (sit on potty, try a wee, flush, wash hands, celebrate!). Your child walks along the path, stepping on each stone and miming the action. This visual, physical representation of the potty journey makes the abstract concept of 'learning to use the potty' concrete and achievable — each step is small and manageable.
Parent tip
Set out construction paper and crayons 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
Transitions and separation
Transitions
Support the switch from one thing to the next with steadier routines and simple bridges.
Read the transitions guideInstructions
- Draw 6 large circles on a long piece of paper or directly on the floor with chalk (if outside).
- In each circle, draw or write a step: 1. Nappy → 2. Sit on potty → 3. Try a wee → 4. Wipe → 5. Flush → 6. Wash hands and CELEBRATE!
- Show your child the path: 'This is the potty journey! Let us walk it together!'
- Step on the first stone: 'This is where we start — in a nappy. That is fine! Everyone starts here.'
- Step to the next: 'Sit on the potty!' Mime sitting down. 'Good — you did it!'
- Continue through each step, miming the action at each stone.
- At the final stone: 'CELEBRATE!' Jump up and down together, cheer, high-five.
- Let your child walk the path whenever they want — it becomes a game they choose to play, and each walk reinforces the sequence.
Why it helps
Visual learning pathways — concrete representations of abstract processes — are recommended by early years educators for children who struggle with sequential tasks. The EYFS Personal, Social and Emotional Development area identifies self-care skills (including toileting) as a key independence milestone. By making the potty journey physical (walking) and visual (stepping stones), you engage kinaesthetic and visual memory systems alongside verbal instruction, which research shows produces faster skill acquisition than verbal explanation alone.
Variations
- Use real stepping stones or cushions instead of paper for a more physical experience.
- Add a small toy figurine that walks the path too — 'Teddy is learning to use the potty! Can you show teddy the way?'
- After each real potty success, let your child add a sticker to the matching stone on the path — visual progress tracking.
Safety tips
- If using chalk on hard floors, ensure the surface is not slippery when walked on — chalk dust on tiles can be slippery.
- Supervise closely if using stepping stones or cushions — spacing should be close enough that the child does not need to jump or stretch.
- Keep the tone celebratory, never critical — if your child steps off the path or refuses a step, that is fine. The path is always there for next time.
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.
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.