 | I'm no expert, but at that age it seems to me that it could be either a plea for attention, or an expression of anger/control issue. Don't kids this age tend to smear more? I think it's more alarming when an older child smears.
You might want to give a really low-key response. Use all of your self control to not respond much, including your facial expression. Practice. Look in the mirror. Don't get angry. Don't jump up to deal with it. Don't give her the attention/response she's seeking, if that's it. Act disappointed, and calmy tell her no smearing, poop belongs in the toliet. Don't keep talking about it when you clean up, maybe even stick her in the tub while you do it so she gets zero attention. Clean her up quick, put her back in bed. No conversation, no unwarranted attention.
Or maybe something has happened in her life that she has not control over, something that she's angry about. Perhaps she needs some extra attention and praise right now. If that's the case, you might want to speak (you, not your child) with a doctor specializing in behavior modification. I've been told by a professional that if a child is smearing to express anger or assert control, they can carry on with general control issues into adulthood. They will sabotage their own success to gain control. She's so young, you can probably resolve this quickly. |
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