Why Can My Toddler Count to 10, but Still Won’t Pee in the Potty?

Potty training woes? You're not alone!

My toddler can walk. My toddler can talk. My toddler can recognize every color in the crayon box (yes, even periwinkle).

They can sing songs from memory, tell you what sound a dinosaur makes, and let you know—very clearly—what they do not want for breakfast.

But for the life of me, they will not pee in the potty.

As a former daycare director, I can confidently say: you are not alone.

Potty training is a hot topic the minute kids start walking, then intensifies once they’re talking—and it hits a fever pitch when preschool begins.

You can almost spot the parents just by their expressions: wide-eyed optimism from those starting early, and pure exasperation from the ones still elbow-deep in size 5 pull-ups while their kid is singing the ABCs.

The truth?

Kids can memorize numbers, colors, songs, even facts about space—long before they fully grasp the physical and emotional coordination it takes to not go to the bathroom in their pants.

3 Signs Your Child Might Be Ready to Start Potty Training…

Now, while there’s no magic age and definitely no one-size-fits-all method, there are a few signs we used to tell parents to watch for.

These don’t guarantee overnight success (sorry!), but they do mean your child might be ready to start the process—and your odds of success are a lot higher.

1. They Start Telling You About Their Bodily Functions

Does your child demand privacy as they poop in the corner?

Whether it’s “pee-pee,” “poopy,” or your toddler simply hiding in the corner to do their business, the fact that they’re aware something is happening is a good sign.

Even if it’s after the fact (“Mommy, I pooped!”), that verbal connection is huge. Awareness is step one; communication is step two.

If your child is starting to notice what’s happening down there, you’re off to a promising start.

2. They Stay Dry for Longer Periods

Celebrate the wins--even if it's one dry diaper at a time!

Bladder control doesn’t just appear—it’s a developmental milestone, much like walking or talking.

We’d often ask parents, “Are they waking up dry from naps? Are there longer stretches between diaper changes?”

This means their body is starting to “hold it,” kind of like learning to turn a faucet on and off.

This is both a physical milestone (muscle control) and a cognitive one (understanding when to “hold it”).

3. They’re Around 2.5 Years Old (But Don’t Panic If They’re Older)

"Readiness" can mean early or later than the typical age--and that's ok!

The typical age when many children start showing readiness is around 2.5 years old. By then, most have developed enough verbal skills, physical control, and general awareness to begin.

But keep in mind: “typical” doesn’t mean “universal.” Some kids are ready earlier, some later.

A four-year-old still in diapers isn’t a failure—it just means the process is going to look a little different, and that’s OK.

So…Why Can They Count to 10 But Not Pee in the Potty?

Potty training means a lot of learning for your little one!

Because learning to recognize numbers is a brain skill. Learning to use the potty is a whole-body skill.

Potty training is about timing, coordination, communication, confidence, and control—five things that don’t necessarily develop at the same rate as memorization or speech.

Your child might be a little genius in one area, but potty training pulls from a completely different developmental toolkit.

So hang in there. Celebrate the wins (like when they tell you after they went), stay consistent, and know that this too shall pass. Eventually, the potty will click.

But until then…maybe invest in some more pull-ups—and keep counting to 10!

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Numbers to Counting Cards (Download & Print)

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