Best for this moment
for calmer, lower-pressure moments, especially when you need an indoor option.
Potty Routine Countdown
At a glance: A visual step-by-step potty chart with stickers — celebrating completing the sequence, not the result. A 5-minute, low-energy indoor activity for ages 19m–3y.
Create a simple three-step visual routine for the bathroom wall: pull down, sit, flush and wash hands. Each step has a picture your toddler can recognise. After completing each step, they add a sticker or tick next to it. The celebration is for following the sequence, not for producing anything — this removes performance pressure entirely and gives your toddler a clear, predictable process they can own.
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 or print three simple pictures: trousers down, sitting on potty, washing hands
- Stick them on the bathroom wall at your toddler's eye level
- Walk through each step together: 'First we pull down, then we sit, then we wash'
- Give your toddler stickers to place next to each step as they complete it
- Celebrate finishing all three steps: 'You did the whole routine!'
- Never mention whether anything happened on the potty — the sequence is the achievement
- Repeat at regular intervals throughout the day
Why it helps
Visual routines reduce cognitive load by making expectations concrete and predictable. Toddlers thrive on knowing what comes next, and a visual sequence eliminates the ambiguity that fuels resistance. By celebrating the process rather than the outcome, you reinforce autonomy and mastery — the two intrinsic motivators that drive sustainable potty training success.
Variations
- Use photos of your toddler doing each step instead of drawings for extra ownership.
- Add a fourth step for older toddlers: 'dry hands on the towel.'
- Let your toddler create the chart by colouring or decorating it themselves.
Safety tips
- Use child-safe stickers that won't be a choking hazard if peeled off.
- Ensure the chart is stuck securely so it doesn't fall when your toddler reaches for it.
- Keep the steps simple — too many steps can feel overwhelming rather than empowering.
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.