Potty Power (DVD, 2004)

Movie description
POTTY POWER is a sensitive, positive, upbeat video that combines live action with animation to impart potty training and proper hygiene in an amusing, lively way. The video keeps kids engaged through storytelling, games, and songs, and children are motivated to want to use the toilet through motivating reinforcement from the friendly host, Jessica, her animated toilet paper roll, and other toddlers. Young children will learn through the example set by other kids their own age, and the message of the video is consistently underscored through repetition and fun songs such as "No More Diapers for Me," "Big Kid Underwear," and "What Can I Do When I'm Sitting on a Potty?"

I have to say I was throughly impressed with this video the first (and subsequent) times my daughter watched it. I do agree with a previous viewer that it is kinda geared toward girls, with dainty little songs and a princess story at the end.

My daughter is just over 2 years and we've run headlong into negativism in our attempts to potty train. She knows EXACTLY what we want her to do when we sit her on the potty, and blatently refuses to do so (to the point of painfully holding in both "number 1" and "number 2"). In desperation, I ordered this video based on the positive reviews.

I have to say she has loved it FAR more than any books (which she has been mildly interested in), which makes sense since 2-year-olds are much more "sucked in" to the TV than a book. In fact, I think creating a DVD on this subject was an ingenious idea! She watched it once the day it came, and in the week following, she completely undressed herself 3 times on a whim (and to my complete surprise) and sat on her potty chair. This was without me even mentioning it - just the sight of the chair triggered her enthusiasm. She didn't go, but I figure getting her interested and willing to go alone is a BIG start! When she watched it again, she insisted on it three times in a row before declaring it was time for Nemo. :)

The kids in the video are about 3 years old, which I think is perfect because my daughter still considers them "equals" but they can talk and sit on the potty well. The narrator is a pretty young woman with bright eyes that will easily attract any child. Although they primarily talk about kids going potty on a potty chair, they do also show video of kids sitting on a toilet. Some of the discussion might be a little advanced for my daughter, but all the video of real kids (no animation) using the potty chair has had powerful influence.

Here's a quick run-down of things in this 30 minute video:

- The narrator defines the difference between being a baby and a "big kid" with a little game that shows what babies do (sleep in a crib, spoon-fed by Dad, wears diapers, etc) and what a big kid does (swings, stacks blocks, etc).

- Sings a song about all the things a "big kid" can do by him/herself (sleep in a bed, eat ice cream, kick a ball, etc) and says that going potty by yourself is just one more thing big kids do.

- The definition of "pee" and "poop" (terms they use) as being made by the body. Babies go in their diaper and "big kids" and grownups go in the potty (the grown ups in a toilet).

- Introduces the idea of the potty chair (versus the toilet) and explains that they come in different shapes and sizes. Also introduces what toilet paper does - wiping yourself is just like when mom and dad wipe a baby with wet wipes.

- Sings a song about what you can do while you're sitting on the potty for awhile - read, sing, play with a toy. I really liked this part because it showed my daughter that she'll just spend some time sitting for awhile as part of her training.

- Sings a song about wiping afterward - the children wipe a large teddy bear (front to back!) to illustrate since they obviously can't show the children actually doing it to themselves.

- Sings a song about washing your hands, and says that you should scrub with soap and water for about 20 seconds, or as long as it takes to sing Twinkle Twinkle little star. I LOVE this idea!

- Mentions that learning to use the potty isn't an over-night thing, but that on

I had heard recommendations, so I picked this up. My daughter was having occasional accidents on the floor, and they stopped - virtually overnight - after the first day of watching Potty Power (she watched it about three times in a row). The dvd is cute and quirky, and I recommend it. I like the songs - especially the one about "look what I can do by myself" and the one about wearing underwear.

I only gave it a 'good' rating, though, because of two things that my parenting philosophy differs with:

1) I do not like the song about a child sitting on the potty for a long time, and doing things like coloring and playing. It sends an odd message (to me) - that the potty is for something other than pottying. I understand however, that a lot of children have disassociated the sensation of pottying, and this can help compensate for that.

2) I do not like that part of their premise to help children potty is to play on the desire that the child wants to be a "big kid" and the implication that (only) babies use diapers. I take fault with this, because (1) babies can potty in the toilet, too (with mommy's or daddy's help), and (2) if a child is struggling with wanting to be a big kid, they sometimes use diapers intentionally to make their point or revert. ...

excellent video. up to date great special effects, great stories very very catchy songs like "no more diapers for me" that make potty training fun. my daughter is 2 and she used the potty after watching the video just once. weve been playing it for her almost everyday for a week and shes just about potty trained. it works that easy. your kids will love this video. its big kid or baby game makes it interactive and captivates them the first minute the video is on. my daughter loves this video and i love watching the host jessica. highly recomended. your kid will be potty trained and will be yelling out potty power!

It is well explained about what big kids can do and great encouragements keep my child get motivated to do what big kids do. Fun songs and playful motions are well presented. Especially the host, Jessica is performing just great!!
My child enjoys it so much!!