High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Toilet training, or potty training, is the process of training a young child to use the toilet for urination and defecation, though training may start with a smaller toilet bowl-shaped device (often known as a potty). In Western countries it is usually started and completed between the ages of 12 months and four years with boys typically being at the higher end of the age spectrum. Cultural factors play a large part in what age is deemed appropriate, with the age being generally later in America.Most advise that toilet training is a mutual task, requiring cooperation, agreement and understanding between child and the caregiver, and the best potty training techniques emphasize consistency and positive reinforcement over punishment - making it fun for the child. There are articles suggesting that it is easier to toilet train a child when he/she is at least 18 months old, and for boys it is better to wait even longer since they usually lack the necessary language and fine motor skills. This time frame is much easier to use because of the child wanting to please his/her parents.