What physical control do toddlers begin to gain during this stage?

During toddlerhood, which typically spans from ages one to three, children begin to develop significant physical control, particularly over bowel and bladder functions. This development marks a critical milestone known as potty training, where toddlers learn to recognize their bodily cues and express their needs, transitioning from reliance on diapers to using the toilet.

The achievement of this milestone is closely tied to their growing independence and understanding of personal hygiene. It involves both physical capabilities, such as the ability to hold urine and recognize the sensation of needing to go, and cognitive development, as they learn routines and associations related to toilet use.

In contrast, while toddlers do indeed begin to gain emotional awareness and start regulating their feelings, that process is more subtle and complex than the clear physical control over bodily functions. Social settings and cognitive tasks are also important areas of development during this stage, but the control over bowel and bladder functions is one of the most concrete and observable changes that occur as toddlers grow and mature.