The anal stage is a crucial period in child development where the child learns to control their sphincters and discovers new sensations and powers.
Extract
[...] At the level of mental development, by retaining and mastering himself, the child will see himself separate the motor discharge from thought; When he retains his excretions, he learns to tolerate a tension, which is necessary for the development of thought. In conclusion, the anal stage is a crucial period where the child will experiment with their limits. They will explore their physical qualities, but also objects, and develop their ability to control their body. The acquired experiences are significant for the structuring of the psyche and affect. They will allow for the differentiation of the self from the non-self, to learn to keep what is good, to reject the bad, and to develop autonomy from their parents. [...]
[...] What psychological experience accompanies the anal stage and how does it contribute to the child's development? Psychology of the Child Key stages are distinguished in relation to the development of the child. Among these stages, there is the anal stage, which generally occurs around the age of 18 months, where the child acquires the ability to control their sphincters. With this new acquisition, the child discovers new sensations and powers related to the retention of stools. This is a deep psychological reorganization that remains complex because it is a source of both pleasure and fear. [...]
[...] Added to this are concerns about hygiene through the importance of regular elimination. The whole, forming a controlled letting go. Urination is a source of pleasure for the child, if they do not feel embarrassed by being wet or humiliated by their incontinence. It is at the age of 7 months that boys can observe their own urination while standing. Furthermore, girls can laugh while urinating. Additionally, seeing others urinate can become a fascination for children who are starting to move around. [...]
[...] In this case, pleasure turns into displeasure and forces the child to release control. And the child, who does not yet distinguish their body from their productions, can develop anxiety-ridden fantasies about retaining harmful things inside them. It is during this period that the child becomes aware of the limits of their body. In fact, they realize that the stools are first internal, and then become external, unwanted after passing through the colon. Through this awareness, an important step in self-recognition is born. [...]
