How to get preschooler to ask to go to the toilet?

[FreddieFoxtrot]

Hi guys,

So my eldest just turned three in July, and started preschool this year. He is potty trained to the degree that he understands how to use the toilet/potty, and will go when asked or taken. He rarely takes himself, and never asks someone to go.

His preschool has said that they are happy to continue taking him until after the Christmas break, but when the New year starts, all children in the class will need to start asking a teacher to go.

Honestly - I think we potty trained him too early due to pressure with starting preschool, and so this has been more of an uphill battle than it has needed to be.

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this, and do you have any tips for getting him to ask to go?!

Thank you xx

My middle child struggled with asking to go (ie would much rather just carry on playing). We instead agreed a routine of certain times a day that they would go and try even if they didn't need it (without being reminded)- after circle time, after snack, after lunch, after snack etc. Nursery would remind to start with until it became habit. They did better with this than asking to go when they needed it (until they were a bit older when they just asked). My oldest went to a more free flowing nursery where they had access to the toilets all the time and apparently just shouted once there so we didn't encounter this problem!

Could you do a little laminated coloured card for him to hand to a teacher, or a button or something similar so he doesn't have to find the words, and practice using it at home in the run up?