A couple of people have asked how to fully train their 3 year olds, with the child doing wees on the toilet but not poos, or simply refusing to go at all, demanding the nappy. At 3 years of age the child has a very good understanding of what you tell them. Simply do not allow the child to have a nappy! No matter how much he/she asks, stand your ground, telling the child that they are a big boy/girl now so do not need a nappy. You could get a nappy that will be too small for the child, try to put it on, and say, "look, nappies don't fit you anymore." Of course, at this age the child often needs a night time nappy, so tell the child it's only the night ones that fit.

I've said it before, I say it again, star charts work wonders. Stick one to the wall next to the toilet and allow the child to stick a star on each time he/she uses the toilet and reward them after so many stars.

When the child soils him/herself, let the child know how disappointed you are. When they go to the toilet, give loads of praise, making sure to tell other family members and/or friends so they too can add to the praise. The more praise a child gets, the more they respond to it.

If you're still having problems getting the child to the toilet, try making the child wash his/her underwear by hand. I don't think the child would like having to wash ones that have had poo on them. This may sound a little extreme, but if nothing else works it may be worth a try.

Also tell the child it won't be long until he/she starts school. If your child is excited about this, use that as leverage - "you not allowed to wear nappies at school. Only big girls and boys who go to the toilet are allowed to go to school." Remind the child of all the fun things he/she will do at school - painting, craft, learn new things, play with lots of other girls and boys, etc. This gets them excited about school, and then throw in the nappy thing.

If your child has friends around the same age who are out of nappies, that's another way of encouragement. "Wow! [friend's name] is such a good boy/girl! He/she doesn't need nappies anymore. What a clever boy/girl he/she is!" Even if they have a friend a few years older - when my brother was young, a friend's son, who was a few years younger, really looked up to him and wanted to wear undies because my brother did! Make a huge deal out of the fact that the friend doesn't wear nappies.

One final thing that helps - buy undies with the child's favourite character on them. I know they cost a little more than plain undies, but even if you just get a few pair to encourage the child. When my son started training, his favourite character back then was 'Blues Clues' so I bought him undies with that on them - he loved them and wanted to wear them all the time!