Ontario Early Childhood Educator Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The primary focus of the anal stage in Freud's psychosexual development theory centers around controlling bladder and bowel movements. This stage typically occurs between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, when children are beginning to gain mastery over their bodily functions through toilet training. During this period, the fixation on that control can manifest in various personalities later in life. Successful navigation of this stage leads to feelings of competence and independence, whereas struggles can result in traits such as obsessiveness or messiness in adulthood, often referred to as anal-retentive or anal-expulsive personalities. Freud emphasized that the process of toilet training is not just a physical skill but also a significant psychological development, as it represents a child's first experience of control over their bodily processes. Understanding this focus helps to highlight the importance of this stage in the overall framework of Freud's theory, particularly in terms of autonomy and discipline in early childhood development.