Parent tip
Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.
Potty Song and Dance
Sing a special potty song together each time your child sits on the potty, turning resistance into a fun musical ritual.
Activity details
Instructions
Tiny Steps
- Choose or make up a simple four-line potty song — use a familiar tune like 'Twinkle Twinkle' with new words about sitting on the potty.
- Start singing the song as you walk to the bathroom together, holding hands.
- Invite your child to sit on the potty (clothed is fine at first) and keep singing gently.
- Add simple actions to the song — clapping, tapping knees, wiggling fingers — so your child has something fun to do while sitting.
- Sing the song through twice, then say 'Well done for sitting — shall we sing it one more time?'
- If your child wants to get up, let them — the goal is positive association, not staying until something happens.
- Finish with a special 'potty high-five' and say 'You sat so well — our potty song was brilliant today.'
- Use exactly the same song every time to build the predictable routine that eases resistance.
What success looks like
Flushed cheeks, big smiles, and a calmer child afterwards. If they want to do it again, you’ve found a winner.
Many toddlers resist the potty because the whole process feels unpredictable and pressured. This activity wraps the potty routine in a short, catchy song that your child can predict and control — they know exactly what comes next, which reduces anxiety. The music activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the pelvic floor relax, while the ritual of singing together transforms a power struggle into a shared, joyful moment.
Why it helps
Birth to 5 Matters identifies self-regulation as children's developing ability to regulate their emotions, thoughts and behaviour, noting that co-regulation — where adults model calming strategies — is the foundation from which children build this skill. Predictable routines reduce anxiety by allowing the brain to anticipate what comes next, which is especially important for toddlers who resist transitions to the potty. Music engages the limbic system and promotes relaxation, while rhythmic singing has been shown to lower cortisol levels and support parasympathetic activation — the 'rest and digest' state that makes successful toileting more likely. Zero to Three explains that toddlers need repeated, safe chances to practise handling big feelings before they can manage them on their own.
Variations
- Let your child choose which song to sing today from two options — giving them a choice within the routine builds a sense of control.
- Add a stuffed animal who 'listens' to the song from the bathroom shelf, so your child is performing for an audience.
- For older toddlers, let them make up their own potty lyrics — this investment in the song increases willingness to sit.
Safety tips
- Ensure the potty or toilet seat reducer is stable and your child feels secure — wobbling increases anxiety and resistance.
- Never force your child to stay seated; the goal is positive association, not compliance.
- Keep the bathroom warm, especially in cooler months, as cold can make toddlers reluctant to undress.
