4 Y/o Playing with His Stool.

If it makes you feel better my daughter used to play with her poop at 2 and 3. In fact she liked to "paint' the walls and carpet with it. She is a very kinesthetic girl. She plays with toys based on what feels good in her hands. She is also very concerned with how clothes feel. I try to indulge her need to feel things with letting her play outside in the mud and dirt, playing with playdough. I buy her the animals she likes because of the way they feel. I too am intersted in the book mentioned by the first respondent.
Isn't life grand!
W.

Your son is doing something that nature intended; exploring the physical world. If he had other materials to work with, he would not need his own feces. You need to get him finger paints and playdough. This should take care of his needs. I have written two books that will help you learn how to present this, and other materials, in ways that won't mess up your home. Please read YOUNG AT ART by S. Striker (Henry Holt) In it, I talk about what children learn when they manipulate materials. He will need lots of play dough, clay, even mud, to take care of this normal instinct. If you have questions, I would be happy to explain further. You can reach me at susanstriker.com

Hi D., I am not an expert but I remember my cousin doing this. His dad was a doctor and explained that the boy feels it is his because it came form his body. I do remember us all waving bye-bye to his poop after he was told that even though it did belong to him it was dirty and should not be played with. I admit it is a great way to get attention. Does it happen at a time when you have been absorbed in your work for a while? Anyway it has happened so your son is not the first. This too shall pass. Best wishes, Grandma Mary

Hi D., I don't think this is appropriate behavoir for a 4 year old, I would contact his doctor ASAP. Good Luck.

He's four, I think you can come up with a good way to tell him the truth about poop. It needs to be flushed. Have you ever heard of the book "everyone poops"? YOu can get that book or take it out of the library. It explains WHY they poop and that is food stuff, that might help to explain to him it's "dirty" and needs to be flushed. I think it's bes to get him stop, but I think it's pretty normal.

My daughter is 2 and about to be trained, she poops then sticks her hands it......Yuck.

D., this is probably just a phase he is going through because it is something he remembers doing when he was potty training you just have to tell him now that he is a big boy that he should not do that anymore. Explain to him that this is not something a big boy should be doing and say when he is done to flush the toilet so the poop can go down the drain. He might get the point after awhile.
Hoope this helps.

L. Walk