Earlier today, I shared some of the reasons why children might regress in terms of their behavior. While some regression can be typical during times of stress, trauma and transition, more obvious physical regression that does not appear to be isolated or rooted in an event can signify a developmental disability and should be evaluated by a doctor. As a parent, you can start by trying some strategies to see if you can get a child back on track and then if things do not improve, you may want to contact a physician or child development specialist.
There are a couple schools of thought when it comes to dealing with ordinary child regression—you can either indulge it or try to nudge the child to get back on developmental track. Many parents choose to do a combination of both strategies. For a previously potty-trained child, for example, you may choose to try not to make a big deal of the regression; be very matter-of-fact and simple deal with the consequences, meanwhile giving the child positive reinforcement in other areas of his or her life. If the potty regression seems to be tied to a specific event: the arrival of a new baby, move to a new house, etc. try to address the insecurity at the root of the situation instead of focusing too much on the regression behavior. As the child feels more confident and secure, he or she will likely get back on track on his or her own.
You may choose to offer rewards or other forms of encouragement to get the child back to where he was or you may choose to take away privileges that are reserved for “big kids.” For example, a child who is able to get to bed on time and stay in bed all night might be allowed to watch an extra half-hour of television, but if he or she cannot manage that, then the television privileges are suspended. It is important that if you choose to use consequences and loss of privileges that they be reasonable consequences and easily understood as being tied to “big kid” behaviors.