Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Potty training is developmental. You can't put a number on when a child is ready to be trained and forcing it creates issues if they aren't ready.
There is no such thing as "knowing better" when it comes to training.
It's not something kids simply wake up knowing because they are a certain age.
Also getting "in trouble" for anything toilet training related is against licensing regulations in most states. Shaming, humiliating or punishing a child for bathroom related incidences is unacceptable.
At 5 if the child smeared poo all over the bathroom, it was a supervision issue...not an issue about whether he "knew better or not". 
This type of approach to toilet training wouldn't fly here.
I have to disagree. First, a 5yo with zero developmental issues should be going to the bathroom by him/herself. We cannot follow a school-age child into the bathroom. Second, if a 5 year old is smearing poo, that is unacceptable and time-out and/or taking away toys is acceptable. A 1yo doing the same, would not be subject to the same approach.
And lastly, this is why so many kids keep doing behaviors that are unacceptable. The states do not allow people to parent/teach. I think that the more we believe kids don't know anything, the more we will end up with adults who can't do/think for themselves.