Learning Curve with Mr. Chazz

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Mr. Chazz and Sydney reflect on how birdhouse was started. We reflect on some of the adult skills that were needed to even start birdhouse. The same skills we open this school to teach children, were the same skills we needed to just start the school.
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This is a reintroduction podcast.
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Child readiness for toilet learning

Toilet Learning Philosophy & Readiness

Adult readiness more critical than child readiness

    •    Adults must have bandwidth to support child through incompetence-to-competence phase

    •    Adult anxiety transfers to child, reducing learning capacity

    •    Key question: Can adult maintain calm during transitional space?

Child readiness indicators

    •    Natural curiosity about potty (wanting to sit, try, emulate adults)

    •    Curiosity wanes when effort feels challenging

    •    Can child tolerate discomfort when effort > reward?

Three learning stages

    1    Effort much greater than reward (hardest phase)

    2    Effort equals reward

    3    Effort becomes easier, reward greater (integrated/automatic)

Direct vs Indirect Learning Strategy

Maximize indirect learning before potty expectations

    •    Healthy adult modeling and body talk outside bathroom

    •    Play props and toys around potty concepts (not in bathroom)

    •    Books, songs, visuals about body processes

    •    Reduces performance anxiety in actual bathroom moments

Formal learning begins with underwear transition

    •    Children learn by doing, not just observing (swimming pool analogy)

    •    Must wear underwear before mastering skills (expect accidents initially)

    •    Keeping diapers while expecting consistent potty requests is unrealistic

    •    Children understand: diapers = pee/poop, underwear = different expectation

Body Boss Language Framework

Replace “big kid” language with “body boss”

    •    Avoids developmental struggle of wanting to be big vs baby

    •    Emphasizes empowerment and body ownership

    •    “You have an important job” vs “you’re a big kid”

    •    Normalize “listening to your body” and “taking care of your body” across all activities

Key phrases to use

    •    “Missing the signal” instead of asking “did you poop?”

    •    “Your body’s figuring out how to feel comfortable” vs “you should be able to…”

    •    “It’s not happening yet” vs “it’s not happening”

    •    Tag words: yet, soon, just a matter of time

Handling Poop Resistance

Treat peeing and pooping as separate skills

    •    Different body parts, consistency, pressure

    •    Give permission to ask for pull-up when feeling poop urge

    •    Celebrate progress: “toilet bowl is half full”

Prevent withholding behaviors

    •    Getting poop out of body trumps potty success

    •    Withholding causes constipation, behavioral issues, reduced bandwidth

    •    Offer dignified alternatives (pull-up, permission to soil underwear)

Response approach

    •    Reduce adult energy/focus around the struggle area

    •    Slow things down, reduce urgency

    •    Continue indirect learning without performance pressure

Practical Implementation

Potty equipment choices

    •    Offer both little potty and toilet seat attachment

    •    Let child choose which feels safer

    •    Feet firmly planted important for bowel movements

Nighttime readiness

    •    5 consecutive nights of dry pull-ups

    •    Check earlier than usual wake time to distinguish holding vs morning release

Launching process

    •    Start at home, not school

    •    Long weekend good for formal launch

    •    Don’t go back and forth between diapers/underwear (confusing)

    •    Reset to diapers okay if stress becomes excessive

Resources & Support

Diaper Doggy book

    •    Creates ritual for transition (like Tooth Fairy)

    •    Uses body boss language throughout

    •    Available at Barnes & Noble (not Amazon)

Joan’s consultation services

    •    Virtual coaching: $25/30min, $50/hour through medical practice

    •    Personalized social stories available

    •    Works with families nationwide
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Mindy's Website
https://growwithusacademy.com/
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