4 Yr Old Having "Accidents"?

Uh... starting preschool IS a big change for a young child.

Anyways... don't yell or fuss or do anything to make her feel bad. Talk with her. Ask her if can feel when she goes. Call her doctor and go talk with him. She might have encopresis... it does affect 1 out of 10 4-10 year olds. That's when, at some point, the child got constipated (for various reasons, not just willingly withholding like some kids do, could be diet like dairy). Then the poop inside gets all hard and forms a mass and stretches the colon... softer poop oozes around it and runs out and she literally has no control over it at all. There are 2 sets of muscles we use - one involuntary and one voluntary... once a child looses feeling in the voluntary one you need to re-train the muscles. It often doesn't appear the child is constipated becuase of all the soft runny poops - but she could be impacted with a huge mass inside of her.

Make sure to rule out medical before yelling or discipline or her self-esteem will take a dive. It's very unfair to punish or shame a child over something they have no control over.

Maybe she is getting too much fiber. I know even as an adult I have had OH No moments when I just prayed I got to the bathroom on time.This usually happens when I am on Antibiotics though, with no warning or urge at all.Most kids and adults a like go about the same time each day. Try to get her on the toilet and the routine should take a hold and train her bowels.She also could be thinking it is just gas and then ut Oh it wasn't.

Yes, starting pre-school is a BIG change.
First, check with pediatritian to be sure she does not have urinary problems with bacteria backing up - which may lead to diareah or constipation with bowel leakage. My daughter went through this a little bit older, seeming to backslide - but it was a medical issue. We had tests done and the whole bit. But she was fine my kindergarten. Be patient, but serious that this is not a laughing matter. It may feel funny when it happens (oozing sensation) and that could be reason for her smile. Our doctor recommended Miralax, which regulated amount of water she kept in her body to form reasonable stool - not too hard and not too soft.

She might be having accidents because she knows she is about to start preschool. Kids are smart, she may be thinking if she is having accidents you won't be able to send her to preschool. Has she been to the prechool to see the school and meet the teacher? Just a possibility
L.

I would punish her. If she knows what she is doing then she knows to go on the potty. My older son went through this at 3. After seeing that he would get punished consistently, he stopped (about 3 times). Make sure she isn't constipated though. My littler boy will even have wet accidents when he's constipated; and, no, I don't punish him for that.

I have a suspision it is the pre-school thing and her way of getting your attention.

If you think she is doing it on purpose, I would make her help you clean it up (she can dump poo in toilet and start rinsing them in the sink). Tell her that if she chooses to make the mess in her pants then she has to clean it up. My son pooped in his undies a couple of times after being completely potty trained and when I stared making him help clean it up he didn't do it again! Just make sure to wash her hands really good afterward.