Toilet training apparatus and method

• US 5,573,407 A
• Filed: 10/25/1995
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beverly Dunford
• Original Assignee: Beverly Dunford
• Inventors: Dunford, Beverly
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirsch, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US08/547,859
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 434/262, 434/266, 434/236, 434/238, 434/267, 434/268, 434/237, 434/107, 434/110, 434/258, 446/8, 446/9, 446/11, 446/12, 4/902
• US Class Current: 434/262
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0076 Body hygiene; Dressing; Knot tying

Abstract

An apparatus and method for training a child to complete a toilet training experience. The invention includes an object placed in close proximity to a toilet appropriate for training the child. The invention also includes a device for emitting a musical sound. Upon successful completion of a toilet training experience, the child is provided a reward token, such as a coin. The child may then place the token into the object, which may comprise a piggy bank. In response to placement of the token into the object, the music emitting device generates a musical sound. The method allows the child to associate the object visually with the training experience and to associate the musical sounds audibly with the training experience.

Claims

1. A method of training a child to complete a toilet training experience, comprising the steps of:

providing a toilet for toilet training a child;

providing an object adjacent the toilet, the object including a device for emitting a musical sound;

rewarding the child with a token upon completion of an appropriate toilet activity by the child;

placing the token into the object;

causing the musical sound to be emitted from the object in response to placing the token into the object.

2. A method of toilet training according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

placing a sufficient number of tokens in the object to form a collection of tokens;

removing the collection of tokens from the object;

rewarding the child with the collection of tokens.

3. A method of toilet training according to claim 1 wherein the object is in the form of an animal, and further comprising the step of allowing the child to recognize the animal prior to the toilet training experience to facilitate toilet training.

4. A method of toilet training according to claim 1 wherein the object is in the form of a pig, and further comprising the step of allowing the child to recognize the pig prior to the toilet training experience to facilitate toilet training.

5. A method of toilet training according to claim 1 wherein the object includes a slot for receiving the token and a switch coupled to the slot, and further comprising the step of actuating the switch upon placing the token into the object to cause the musical sound to be emitted from the object.

6. A method of toilet training according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing praise to the child upon completion of a toilet training activity.

7. A method of toilet training a child according to claim 1, further comprising the step of visually associating the object with the toilet training experience.

8. A method of toilet training a child according to claim 1, further comprising the step of audibly associating the musical sound with the toilet training experience.

9. A method of toilet training a child according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

visually associating the object with the toilet training experience;

audibly associating the musical sound with the toilet training experience.

10. A method for toilet training a child, comprising the steps of:

providing a toilet for toilet training a child;

providing an animal shaped object adjacent the toilet, the object including a device for emitting a musical sound;

allowing the child to recognize the object prior to toilet training to facilitate toilet training;

rewarding the child with a token upon completion of an appropriate toilet activity by the child;

placing the token into the object;

causing the musical sound to be emitted from the object in response to placing the token into the object;

providing verbal praise to the child upon completion of a toilet training activity.

11. A method of toilet training according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

placing a sufficient number of tokens in the object to form a collection of tokens;

removing the collection of tokens from the object;

rewarding the child with the collection of tokens.

12. A method of toilet training a child according to claim 10, further comprising the step of visually associating the object with the toilet training experience.

13. A method of toilet training a child according to claim 10, further comprising the step of audibly associating the musical sound with the toilet training experience.

14. A method of toilet training a child according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

visually associating the object with the toilet training experience;

audibly associating the musical sound with the toilet training experience.