Common Types of Child Behavior and How You Should Deal with Them
Would you ever think that this child who’s now throwing a tantrum in the middle of the grocery aisles was once a cute chubby little archangel? Parents often find it hard to deal with their children’s emotions and behavior once they reach the ages of three to five. But these ages are also the most important in their development. Letting them behave badly can result in bad consequences in the future.
If it’s that bad, you should look into the possibility that your children need Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) supervision. Their aggressive behavior might be because of certain developmental delays. Have you stopped and assessed your child? Don’t look at them as a little monster trying to ruin your life. They are more than that. Once, they were your angel who you cuddled to sleep at night. Maybe there’s something more problematic happening. Find out what it is.
Aggression
This is a common type of behavior among toddlers and preschoolers. But they should get over that quickly once they gain new skills. If they are not progressing from such aggressive behavior, seek professional help. Some kids become aggressive because they don’t know how to handle their emotions. Some are perfectionists who break down when things don’t go their way. Either way, you should talk to your kid, reprimand them, and take away a favorite toy. There should be consequences to their actions.
Temper Tantrums
Have you ever encountered toddlers who would stomp their feet and scream because they didn’t get their way? Show them that they won’t get it, either, by throwing a tantrum. Although this is normal for toddlers and preschoolers, you should never forget to address it. Ignoring such behavior will lead to more problems in the future. They need to know who has the authority in your relationship.
Lying
How scary is it to realize that your child has just lied to your face? That one lie can be repeated in the future. The next thing you know, your child has become problematic. There are three reasons why kids lie: to get attention, avoid trouble, and feel better about themselves. Once you know the reason your child feels that they need to lie, then you can address that concern. Emphasize that being honest is more important than anything they fear. Also, praise your child when they tell the truth.
Defiance
Some kids are strong-willed and hard-headed that they will say no after their parents told them to do something. It’s frustrating to realize that your child can’t even follow your instructions. Show them that there are consequences when they don’t listen and follow you. But try to do this calmly. Kids can be defiant at times as a response to your also crass manner of speaking.
Spending time with your child will allow you to get to know them better. Once you see certain types of behavior that need addressing, raise these concerns with them. The earlier you can correct their behavior, the better it will be for them.