Patient's question:
The child is three years old and is taken care of by their grandparents at home. Recently, the child has suddenly become less talkative, unresponsive to others, and reluctant to play with other children, but they still enjoy talking with their grandparents. The child currently attends kindergarten. According to the child's grandmother, the reason is that the child had an accident in school—pooping their pants—and after a day, they became less talkative. It is unclear if this incident is related.Previous treatment history and effectiveness: No treatment has been administered, and there are no known genetic conditions.
The kind of assistance you are seeking: You want to know if the child's behavior is a sign of a psychological problem.
Doctor's answer:
As children grow, they not only undergo physical changes but also experience psychological transformations. According to the criterion of "distinguishing between self-contradictions," Erikson's stages of development serve as a representative model. He divides the expansion of children's psychology into:First stage: Trust vs. Mistrust (0–2 years);
Second stage: Autonomy vs. Shame or Doubt (0–4 years);
Advice: Your child is only 3 years old, and there is still a lot of room for growth. With dedication and attention, you can help your child navigate this stage well, effectively overcoming shame and fostering healthy development. Parents should actively communicate with kindergarten teachers about their child's progress and provide more encouragement and praise in the school environment. Avoid mentioning bowel movements excessively and instead teach your child indirectly how to report when they need to use the restroom. Starting with small steps should yield positive results.