Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

What is an effective instruction to include for parents of a toddler with cognitive impairment about toilet training?

1. Set a strict schedule for bathroom breaks

2. Provide praise for every successful attempt

3. Award your child with a sticker when they sit on the potty chair

4. Encourage frequent fluid intake during toilet training

The correct answer is: Award your child with a sticker when they sit on the potty chair

Providing rewards, such as stickers, for attempts at using the potty chair can be an effective strategy for toilet training a toddler with cognitive impairment. This approach leverages positive reinforcement, which is crucial for encouraging desired behaviors in young children. When children receive a tangible reward, such as a sticker, it can motivate them to engage in the behavior more frequently, thus reinforcing their efforts towards achieving successful toilet training. Using rewards works particularly well for toddlers with cognitive impairments, as they may benefit from clear, simple reinforcement that is visually appealing and easy to understand. Stickers serve as a fun and motivating incentive, helping to build the child's confidence and enthusiasm about toilet training. In terms of the other options, while setting a strict schedule for bathroom breaks and encouraging frequent fluid intake may have their place in toilet training, they may not effectively address the individual needs of a toddler with cognitive impairment. Additionally, while providing praise for successful attempts is beneficial, it can be more effective when paired with a tangible reward that the child can see and understand. Therefore, using a sticker system aligns well with the principles of positive reinforcement, offering immediate and recognizable feedback for the child.