Fecal mater

I would like to know why a 2year old boy would play with his feces. He reaches into his diaper and gets it all over him and his bed. He is doing this every day and it's very upsetting. Even with pull-ups on over his diaper he still finds a way to do this!!  Please help.  Kay

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Kay,

Two-year-olds customarily express curiosity about any number of things, including those that have to do with their bodies. If you set reasonable, calm limits on this behavior, you will see that it will wane. But try to maintain equanimity in the face of it, so it doesn't become a field of battle or unpleasantness between you and your son.