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Toddlers are fascinated with just about everything – especially making big messes! But when it comes to expressing their ‘inner creativity’ some toddlers are natural artists. Her canvas is usually a nice, freshly painted bedroom wall or a brand new white dress. Her favorite paints or sculpting clay? Poop. Yep, that’s right – POOP!
Toddlers thrives on creativity and curiosity; so naturally, your daughter will be interested in anything that feels warm and squishy – this includes in her diapers. And, wearing diapers makes her art tools very accessible. Understandably, many parents are terrified to admit that their children revel in this type of behavior. But the reality is that it’s a normal phase of child development. Playing with it, sculpting it, and smearing it – is all part of learning to express herself – and testing her parents patience! So if you’ve got a natural artist in the family, try these tips to curb her creative enthusiasm.
Managing Your Little Picasso:
• Stay Calm. Parents staring at a white crib that is now dark brown can understandably loose control – and get very grossed out. It’s important to resist reacting strongly to her behavior because it may send the message that ‘poop is shameful’ which can affect future potty training efforts. In addition, toddlers may continue the behavior if they know they can get a strong reaction from you. Instead, smile (or laugh) and say, “Poop is not made for the crib; it’s for the potty/diapers.”
• Enlist your toddlers help. Have her help clean up the mess so she understands the consequences of her artwork.
• Introduce other ‘sculpting’ materials. Try giving your toddler play doh, clay, or finger paints to experiment with. This will give her a creative outlet that may help reduce her strong desire to find art material in her diaper.
• Remember: It’s just a phase. Rare is the case that kids carry this behavior into kindergarten and beyond. The artwork, like so much else in toddlerhood, is fleeting. One day her messy masterpieces will dissappear for good. So go with it for now. And remember, it will make a great story to tell her someday!
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- Potty Training 101 for Girls
- The Lexus of All Potties.
- Organize Your Daughter's Artwork
- How to Bring Out Your Daughter’s Creativity
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