Young children need guidance when learning appropriate and acceptable physical boundaries between siblings, especially for those behaviors like pinching, pushing, or even rough-housing. Many parents worry about these negative behaviors and that they could lead to stressful sibling relationships or increased or inappropriate aggressive physical actions toward others. Parents should first seek to learn about the reasons why siblings might be acting out this way, and then redirect those energies in positive activities that will benefit all siblings.
It is not uncommon for young children to express themselves physically, whether this is by stamping of feet, pinching a sibling, or taking toys away from siblings. The reasons for these behaviors can vary, but they are commonly related to two major categories, the first being the need to express frustration or other negative feelings, the second the physical need of children for opportunities to expend energy.
These children who act out physically toward siblings because of frustration can be redirected in several methods. If a parent has a pre-school child pinching a younger sibling it might be because the extra attention the younger sibling receives is causing jealousy or the reaction that the older child gets by pinching is the payoff. Parents have to be careful not to reward aggressive children with extra attention for their negative reactions. Sometimes children crave attention so much that even negative attention is better than nothing, or it is a fast way to get the attention of a parent. Instead of buying into these actions, parents can make efforts to react positively to the positive physical behaviors of a child, such as a hug between siblings or a hand held by a brother. The more the positive behaviors earn positive attention, the less a child will need to act aggressively to gain attention. Each child should have their own special time with his or her parents in order to help them feel secure and important in the family.
Sometimes physical aggression in children comes more from simply too much untapped energy than it does from negative emotions. Children need outlets for positive physical activity, possibly through sports, dance classes, or hiking with the family. Martial arts classes can benefit children because they tend to target physical strength used responsibly. Other children just require more positive physical interactions such as snuggling in the evening while reading stories with parents or games that involve the senses, especially the sense of touch. Children have varying needs and it is important to address the sensory and activity needs of those who need physical contact and exercise.
In all of these scenarios, parents need to also establish ground rules for behaviors and consequences for breaking them. Children learn so much by observation, and their parents teach them many things about how to show their frustrations. Children who watch their parents slam doors out of frustration learn to have negative releases of energy to deal with emotions. Parents will need to consistently remind young children of the expectations for treating siblings with respect and only use positive physical contact. It is also a good opportunity to discuss with children respecting personal spaces and boundaries.
It is not uncommon for siblings to show physical aggression toward each other, whether it is grabbing a toy away out of frustration or playing too rough because of too much physical energy. Parents need to look for the causes behind the actions then find ways to teach children ways in which they can positively express themselves.
It is not uncommon for young children to express themselves physically, whether this is by stamping of feet, pinching a sibling, or taking toys away from siblings. The reasons for these behaviors can vary, but they are commonly related to two major categories, the first being the need to express frustration or other negative feelings, the second the physical need of children for opportunities to expend energy.
These children who act out physically toward siblings because of frustration can be redirected in several methods. If a parent has a pre-school child pinching a younger sibling it might be because the extra attention the younger sibling receives is causing jealousy or the reaction that the older child gets by pinching is the payoff. Parents have to be careful not to reward aggressive children with extra attention for their negative reactions. Sometimes children crave attention so much that even negative attention is better than nothing, or it is a fast way to get the attention of a parent. Instead of buying into these actions, parents can make efforts to react positively to the positive physical behaviors of a child, such as a hug between siblings or a hand held by a brother. The more the positive behaviors earn positive attention, the less a child will need to act aggressively to gain attention. Each child should have their own special time with his or her parents in order to help them feel secure and important in the family.
Sometimes physical aggression in children comes more from simply too much untapped energy than it does from negative emotions. Children need outlets for positive physical activity, possibly through sports, dance classes, or hiking with the family. Martial arts classes can benefit children because they tend to target physical strength used responsibly. Other children just require more positive physical interactions such as snuggling in the evening while reading stories with parents or games that involve the senses, especially the sense of touch. Children have varying needs and it is important to address the sensory and activity needs of those who need physical contact and exercise.
In all of these scenarios, parents need to also establish ground rules for behaviors and consequences for breaking them. Children learn so much by observation, and their parents teach them many things about how to show their frustrations. Children who watch their parents slam doors out of frustration learn to have negative releases of energy to deal with emotions. Parents will need to consistently remind young children of the expectations for treating siblings with respect and only use positive physical contact. It is also a good opportunity to discuss with children respecting personal spaces and boundaries.
It is not uncommon for siblings to show physical aggression toward each other, whether it is grabbing a toy away out of frustration or playing too rough because of too much physical energy. Parents need to look for the causes behind the actions then find ways to teach children ways in which they can positively express themselves.
About the Author:
Children Behavioral Problems Looking to learn how to eliminate rude behavior with your kids? Then take a look at www.TheBlissfulParent.com for more information and download plenty of FREE parenting resources. Co Parenting Classes
0 comments:
Post a Comment