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Potty training — a rite of passage for toddlers and parents alike. Who would have thought that this necessary toddler task could offer valuable lessons for a high school English teacher?
Yet, as I embarked on this journey with my own child, I discovered surprising parallels between the challenges of potty training and the art of teaching adolescents.
Here’s what potty training helped me remember about teaching high school English.
The Power of Patience
Patience truly is a virtue.
As I attempted to remain patient while guiding my child through the ups and downs of toilet training, I was reminded of the importance of patience in the classroom. Whether it’s explaining a complex literary concept for the umpteenth time or waiting for a student to grasp a challenging grammar rule, it’s important to remember that everyone learns at their own pace, and it’s our job as teachers to meet them where they are.
Flexibility is Key
Potty training rarely goes according to plan, and, as we all know, neither does teaching.
As a teacher, I’ve learned to adapt and adjust my strategies on the fly, recognizing that what works for one child or even one class may not work for another.
When it came to potty training, I read the books and bought the online courses, but I knew that my son would not love running around with no pants on as they all suggested. So we did it a little differently. I bought these potty training boxers and we had them around for a few weeks before we were ready to wear them. He wanted to try them on all the time, so he was so excited when it was finally time for real!
The Importance of Positive Reinforcement
Potty training taught me the value of positive reinforcement in shaping behavior.
Celebrating small victories and offering praise and encouragement have proven effective in both endeavors, whether it’s applauding a successful potty trip or acknowledging a student’s insightful analysis of a literary text.
We decided to potty train around Easter, so I used plastic Easter eggs filled with stickers and jellybeans as motivators. In my experience, this exact same method would work even with high school students. If you do something awesome or noteworthy, you get to pick a surprise from the bin.
Even teenagers love the opportunity to be kids again, and even something that sounds silly can be a great community builder.
Consistency Breeds Success
Consistency is key in both potty training and teaching.
Establishing routines and expectations creates a sense of structure and predictability that fosters learning and progress. Whether it’s sticking to a bathroom schedule or posting a daily bell ringer, consistency is essential.
Communication is Everything
Effective communication is crucial in both potty training and teaching.
Whether it’s conveying instructions, providing feedback, or fostering dialogue, clear and open communication lays the foundation for success in both realms.
This goes both ways.
One of the most important parts of potty training is getting your toddler to communicate that they have to go to the bathroom. This is no different from teaching your students to advocate for themselves and speak up when they need help.
Learning Through Mistakes
Setbacks are inevitable but manageable.
Just as I encourage my child to learn from mistakes and keep trying, I approach teaching with the same mindset. Every misstep is an opportunity for growth and learning, both for my child and my students.
It’s also important to admit your own mistakes as a parent and as a teacher and to apologize when you need to.
I remember once telling an Honors 9th grade English class that I had straight up forgotten about the papers they had turned in and so they hadn’t been graded yet. (I’m very much a Type B teacher. Out of sight, out of mind.) My students knew me pretty well by that point in the year, so they just laughed along with me. One student specifically thanked me for admitting that even teachers forget to do their work sometimes.
Celebrating Progress, No Matter How Small 🎉
Finally, potty training has taught me the importance of celebrating progress, no matter how small.
Whether it’s that first day with no potty accidents or a student who revises and improves an essay grade, every step forward is cause for celebration and encouragement.
When I taught freshman English, I held essay trophy ceremonies. Before turning in an essay, I would have students read portions of their papers to classmates in small groups, focusing on the skills we were working on at that time. The groups would vote for a winner in each category: Best Introduction Hook, Strongest Thesis Statement, Best Conclusion Paragraph, etc.
The winners in each category would then go head to head and the class would vote on the ultimate winner, who would then receive their trophy. I used trophies that the athletic department was going to throw away and stuck my own labels over the name plates. The kids loved how silly it was that they had a volleyball trophy for having a perfect Works Cited page, but they also loved being able to celebrate their classmates’ wins.
In the end, potty training has offered me unexpected insights into the art of classroom teaching. Through patience, flexibility, positive reinforcement, consistency, effective communication, and a willingness to embrace mistakes, I’ve been reminded of so many aspects of the classroom that can make me a better educator.
So here’s to embracing every opportunity for growth and learning, whether in the bathroom or the classroom.
KatieMacTeach 