I just put my kittens in the box to look around, and they started using it right away (still with a few accidents) But all in all, it's going very well. Maybe try putting a clump of mommy's waste in there, just so they smell what it's for....and not just a clean box with fun sand to play in! Good Luck!
Oh, forgot....if they start to eat it, use rabbit pellets, or yesterdays news as litter instead, ingesting clumping is bad. Also, the smaller the area they are confined to....the quicker they will learn.
They learn from the mom- if momcat is around, they will follow her lead. I use pans with really low sides so the kittens can get in and out easily. Don't use clumping litter, kitties like to sample litter- try the green litters to stay safest.
I love those shallow foil pans from the dollar store - and you are right, they make wonderful kitten litter pans! I also found a set of 3 pyrex pinch bowls that make wonderful food bowls too!
The best way (IMO) to introduce the babies to the litter is to confine them with the pan until they get the hang of it ... I used an extra-large dog crate for this purpose with my last litter. The whole process took around half a day and out they came, knowing how to use the litter to do their business. I found it best to introduce the litter at the same time I introduced solid food. And I used the crate for both - I simply put two of them together so that the opening of one faced the opening of the other to make a side for food and a side for litter. It worked beautifully.
You can improvise of course if you don't have crates, a small bathroom or other area of your home that can restrict their range (and if you are lucky, the space you choose will also be easy to clean up - there will be accidents).
ok, well I have a cookie sheet for thier box. So i just let mom do the work. I just sit back and let nature take course.? And should they be eating canned food by now?