A potty chart is one of the simplest tools you can use, and one of the easiest to use wrong. Hang it, forget it, and it's just paper on the fridge. Use it the right way, and it turns potty training into a game your toddler wants to win.

Here's how we used ours, and how to get the same chart for free.

Toddlers love three things: attention, routine and stickers. A chart gives them all three. Every time they go in the potty, they get to pick a sticker, put it on the chart and hear how proud you are. They can see their progress, even before they can count.

Skip the complicated ones. A good chart for a two- or three-year-old has:

• Big, simple spaces. Little hands need room for stickers.
• A few times a day, not every hour. We used morning, after meals, bath time and bedtime.
• A finish line. A small prize when a row or week is full keeps it exciting.
• A spot for "tried." Sitting and trying counts, especially early on.

Our free chart has all of these. You can download it here.

Hang the chart at your child's eye level. Let them help pick the stickers. Tell them, "Every time pee or poop goes in the potty, you get a sticker!"

Don't wait until later. The sticker should come right after the success, along with a big "Good job!" and a hug. That's the connection your toddler needs to make.

We always said "Pee and poop go in the potty." The chart, the words and the praise all send one clear message.

A full row might earn a trip to the park, a special snack, or picking the bedtime book. You don't need toys. Your excitement is the real reward.

Accidents happen. The chart only goes one direction: forward. Don't remove stickers or make the chart a punishment.

The chart rewards success. The cue tracker helps you create success. Write down what your child does right before they go: hiding, squatting, going quiet, holding themselves. After a day or two, you'll know their signal, and you'll catch more trips to the potty.

Our son hid behind the couch. Our daughter did a deep squat. Once we knew, we could say "let's go potty" at the right moment.

Once your child is going on their own most of the day, the chart has done its job. Some kids want to keep it going for a while; that's fine. Others forget about it. Either way, celebrate finishing it.

The free Potty Training Starter Kit includes the sticker chart, the cue tracker and a quick readiness check. Print it tonight and you're ready to start.

Want more? The Prep-First Potty Plan includes 7 printables, including a daycare handoff sheet and a bedtime routine card.