Question

bubbles in the bowl: using developmental theory to design potty

Answer 1

                     Children's successful mastery of potty training is a golden key of independence for families with preschoolers. Mastery of toilet training is the ultimate demonstration of children's independence because they alone have the power to choose to participate. Potty training has to be a team effort between children and parents, and not a unilateral decision on the part of the parents, or it will tend to fail. In actuality, toilet training is a complicated collection of coordinated skills and steps. Some of these skills may be new to children. Children must also develop the self-control and cognitive skills needed to get themselves to an appropriate bathroom, rather than urinating and defecating whenever and wherever the urge first hits them.

Pyschoanalytic theory of Potty training

                        Psychoanalytic theory is the theory of personality organization and the dynamics of personality development that guides psychoanalysis, a clinical method for treating psychopathology.

· The primary focus of the libido was on controlling bladder and bowel movements.

· The major conflict at this stage is toilet training--the child has to learn to control his or her bodily needs. Developing this control leads to a sense of accomplishment and independence.

· Success at this stage is dependent upon the way in which parents approach toilet training.

· Parents who utilize praise and rewards for using the toilet at the appropriate time encourage positive outcomes and help children feel capable and productive.

· Positive experiences during this stage served as the basis for people to become competent, productive, and creative adults.

· Inappropriate parental responses can result in negative outcomes.

· If parents are too strict or begin toilet training too early, an anal-retentive personality develops in which the individual is stringent, orderly, rigid, and obsessive.

Behaviorism theory of Potty training

               It is important to note that many times, behaviors that are seen with potty training are a result of potty training starting too soon. When a child demonstrates behaviors, there is often times , a communication point that the child is trying to get across: Behaviors are many times just information.

· Parents often use a reward system when potty training a toddler.

· Candy, stickers, or other small rewards can be used. Each time a child does a desirable behavior - like sitting on the potty, having a dry diaper in the morning, or going to the bathroom on the potty - the parent gives the child a reward.

· The hope is that the child will continue to exhibit the desired behavior because he or she wants to earn the reward, until eventually the behavior becomes a habit and the reward is no longer necessary.

· One use of behaviorism I think every person, or at least every parent, can benefit from is potty training.

· Rewarding behaviors for potty training can be really helpful, because it gives a child as sense of accomplishment.

Cognitive theory of Potty training

                     Children must also develop the self-control and cognitive skills needed to get themselves to an appropriate bathroom, rather than urinating and defecating whenever and wherever the urge first hits them. During the toilet-training process, your child must learn to coordinate an equally complex combination of physical and cognitive tasks.

· The first steps in this process involve bodily sensation—the ability to associate an inner feeling of fullness with the bowel movement or urination that results—and usually take place at around twelve to eighteen months.

· In theory, children could be ready for toilet training as early as age 2, because most babies of this age recognize the urge to urinate or defecate and can control the sphincter muscles that facilitate waste elimination.

· Infants are simply unable to physiologically monitor and to control waste removal from their bodies.

· Just because children are physically ready to toilet train does not mean that they are mentally or emotionally ready to do so. Successful toilet training depends on having all three factors (physical, cognitive and emotional readiness) in place.

· Toilet training requires the cognitive understanding of where stool and urine go, the motor skills to get there, and the desire to do it without help.

Sociocultural theory of Potty training

                  Sociocultural theory describes how an individuals development is connected to cultural, social and historical framework. This theory helps learning is a cultural action, young children are seen as novices within a cultural setting that learn from elders of that way of life, therefore, learning can be either formal or informal and achieved via parents, siblings, friends, teachers etc.

· This theory results in children learning about the practices, beliefs and values of the community they grow up in or are placed in, consequently learning to become members of that community/group.

· Focuses on culture as integral to a person’s development

· Girls generally mature earlier than boys, particularly in terms of skills related to socialization and start and complete toilet training earlier.

· The social context and aspects of the culture in which the child lives contribute to the way they are cared for, both by family members and daycare staff and by health professionals.

· This theory believes that if we “believe every child can learn” we are likely to find a way to teach every child

· Describes interaction between culture and education

Universal theory of Potty training

                     Child development is a universal process: All children develop along the same trajectory or path towards adulthood and implies that a set of 'rules' are followed throughout the process of child development.

Humanism

· Stresses the potential of all human beings for good and the belief that all people have the same basic needs, regardless of culture, gender or backround

· This theory shared human needs in hierarchy

· Contended that everyone must satisfy each lower level before moving higher

· Maslow's hierarchy is like a ladder: Once a person stands firmly on a higher rung, the lower rungs are no longer needed.

· Thus, someone who has arrived at step 4 might devalue safety and be willing to risk personal safety to gain respect.

Evolutionary Theory

· Emphasizes the interaction of genes and the environment o Integrates explanations for many issues in human development

· Suggests humans have two long-standing biologically based drives: survival and reproduction

· Proposes concept of selective adaptation

· Suggests genetic variations are particularly beneficial when the environment changes benefits humanity as a whole