March 20 2024- In January, Utah Rep. Doug Welton proposed a bill requiring kindergarten students to be potty trained before enrollment, with non-potty trained children referred to social workers or counselors. This initiative reflects concerns among teachers about the increasing number of children arriving at school still in diapers or pull-ups, as discussed in online forums. While data on this issue isn’t readily available, historical trends suggest that toilet training typically started before 18 months in the 1940s and between 21 to 36 months in the mid-2000s. Dr. Ari Brown, a pediatrician, notes that by age 5, most children are potty trained, though accidents can occur due to various medical or behavioral factors unrelated to toilet training. Brown emphasizes that such issues should not prevent a child from attending school.
Are more 5-year-olds coming to kindergarten in diapers?
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