How to Manage the Common Behaviors of Children
Children aged one and a half years to three years are in a very vital stage of life. They learn to talk and walk, play, and understand the world around them. During the toddler stage, much behavior change can be seen: a child may be stubborn at one point and say “no” to everything at another time. He shows sudden changes of emotion, or keeps playing the same game for hours. Parents tend to have a hard time understanding all this, but really, most of them are developmental by nature.
Let’s take a closer look at what normal toddler behaviors are, when worries should be raised by parents, and how to positively direct children by parents.
Common toddler behavior
1. Repeated refusal and a show of independence
At this age, most kids want to get ‘autonomous.’ They want to prove to themselves that they are not less than anyone else. This is specifically why they say no.
To illustrate, the first thing that comes into his head is “no” in response to “let’s have dinner.” They do want to show that they’re really free to decide without forcing themselves to eat because someone tells them.
2. Do the same things over and over again
Very often, children want to listen to the same song or watch the same cartoon over and over again. Repetition makes them feel safe and assured in knowing what is going to happen next. They maximize the understood value of the song or show to their minds. Repetition adds to their ability to retain and to learn something new.
3. Tantrums
It is a tantrum when a child cannot express feelings, but shows anger through crying, screaming, and lying on the floor. This is normally the case of a child who is either hungry, tired, or something has made him upset. A good example would be when the child cries out immediately upon not receiving a certain toy. This is a normal part of emotional development.
4. Imagination and Play
Such strong imagination is witnessed at this age – it is the case of playing papa-mummy, doctor-doctor or having a conversation with an imaginary friend – associated with creativity development and learning social skills.
5. Preferences and stubbornness
With age, the child starts developing preferences about what food he would like, what he would like to wear and which toys he would like to play with. Some of the times it may sound like stubbornness. An example would be when a child expresses, “I only want to wear a red T-shirt”. This points towards the developing personality traits among the child.
When to worry
All these behaviors, though, are within the normal range. There are just these situations that he may need to be even closer to the view of the parent.
1. Behavior intensity
Having a lot of fierce and frequent anger attacks that would last or go on for quite a long time could be different from the aforementioned normal.
2. Disturbance in life’s daily activity
If his behaviour gets in the way of having play activities or to socialize by other children, that is an indicator that he might need added assistance.
3. Miserable or alone
That’s why it’s important to note if a child is sad for long periods of time, does not want to play any games, or isolates himself from others.
4. Cycle of Bad Behavior
When the negative behavior persists even after using normal parenting techniques, then it may be a cause for worry.
Ways to steer children’s behavior
1. Meeting basic needs
Mostly a child becomes cranky due to lack of food, sleep or care; hence one has to see to it that enough sleep, proper nutritious food, and requisite time and love are provided to a child.
2. Establish a Routine
A regular routine provides security to children. For instance, by telling the child bedtime stories every night, the child can expect what is coming next and feels secure.
3. Allow Choices
Giving little choices to a child makes him feel that he also has a say in things. For instance, “Will you wear the blue T-shirt, or the red one?” This decreases power conflicts with the child but also makes him feel independent.
4. Divert Focus and Change Direction
If the child is adamant on something dangerous or inappropriate, divert his attention to something else. Suppose the child wants to touch the electric board, then you can change his attention to a new toy.
5. Praising Positive Behavior
It should not only be focused on mistakes, but rather, should involve complimenting good works. For example, when the child collects the toys, you say “Wow, you’ve done a great job”. This will push him to do good work again.
6. Be an Example
Children act according to what their parents do. If you remain calm when you get angry, so the child will gradually learn the same.
7. Create Rules and Consequence
Children must know the dos and don’ts when it comes up to them. Age-appropriate and clear consequences about what will happen if rule is broken would be like “If you do not collect the toys, they will be kept for some time”.
8. Emotional Support
Big feelings are often within children, and they cannot understand them. They need the words to put them in perspective. For example, “I know you are angry because you did not get a toy”. This child now knows that his feelings are normal and learns ways to express them.
When to Approach the Expert
If at any time you feel the behavior of your children is extremely deviant from age or causing concern among daily activities, seek professional help without exception. Don’t hesitate to talk with a child psychologist or pediatrician. Early access can guide the child appropriately, and the family will definitely undergo relief.
Conclusion
Such things may seem, quite often to parents, challenging, but most of the time, they form part of the natural process of development. ‘No’, anger, doing the same game again and again-all these things go a long way in the self-sufficiency and world-understanding journey of the child. Actually, love, patience, and right direction from parents matter the most in handling these small matters and directing them in a positive way.
Let’s recognize, a child is unique. What works with one child, doesn’t with the other child. Fail, and be patient, be loving, and don’t hesitate to go to a professional whenever needed.
