Now that your child is comfortable using the potty, the next challenge is to get them to try using an adult toilet from time to time. You won’t want to rush this but you could suggest it every so often and see what they say. If they have any fears about using an adult toilet, better that you know what they are so that you can talk to them about it and perhaps find some strategy to overcome it.

Why bother with trying to make the change? The reason why it is important to introduce the concept of using an adult toilet is because you won’t always be able to provide a toilet with their preferred potty. If you are travelling, visiting friends or family, out at a shopping centre or cinema, unless you have a portable potty with you then they will need to use an adult toilet when they need to go. And you don’t want them not going because they are feeling frightened.

An adult toilet can be a scary prospect for a child. It is high off the ground. The hole seems big to them, big enough for them to fall into. And they need to be able to balance as their feet won’t touch the ground.

You can make it easier for them by teaching them how to climb up onto a toilet. Practise it at home and make it a game. Of course, you can lift them on and off but if they do find it scary then you want to give them as much control as possible. If they know they can climb on then they will know they can also climb off.

Many children find it more comfortable to sit on the seat backwards. This is probably because it’s easier to climb on that way and difficult to turn around once they have climbed up. Also they have the wall or toilet cistern to hold onto and don’t feel like they are going to fall across a large hole on to the floor.

As always give your child lots of encouragement and praise for trying out a big toilet, even if nothing happens when they get there.