Childhood aggression is a form of behavior in which a child displays physical or verbal aggression towards other people or objects.
Psychologist Yulia Vatutina told how to deal with childhood aggression.
It can be expressed through hysterics, fights, screaming, destruction of things and other unacceptable actions. Containing aggression in a child is a complex process that can last for many months.
Here are some strategies that can help you deal with your child's aggressive behavior.
- Be a role model. Your own behavior and reactions play an important role in shaping your child's behavior. Try to maintain a calm lifestyle, control your emotions, and avoid aggression in the presence of children.
- Teach your child emotional skills. Help your child learn to express their emotions with words, not aggression.
Discuss with him what makes him angry or irritated and help him find alternative ways to respond to these situations. - Set clear rules and boundaries. Your child should know what types of behavior are unacceptable.
Set rules and boundaries that will create a safe environment, and explain their meaning to your child. - Encourage positive behavior. Draw your child's attention to situations in which he or she behaves correctly. He or she will remember this and try to maintain this behavior more often.
- Teach alternative ways to express aggression. Offer your child other ways to solve problems or express their emotions, such as: talking about their feelings, creating art, sports or other physical activities that help release negative energy.
- Seek help. If your child's aggression problems persist and you find it difficult to cope on your own, seek help from a child psychologist or other professionals who can offer individualized strategies and support.
It is important to remember that every child is unique and some methods may be effective for one child and useless for another.
Experiment with different approaches, don't hesitate to seek help from professionals.
Why does a child show aggression?
The methods mentioned above are effective, but only when the reasons for the child’s aggression are determined, at least approximately.
Therefore, first you need to establish what causes aggressive behavior, and then systematically work to eliminate this cause.
There may be many factors that give rise to aggression, but psychologists identify several main ones.
- Lack of emotional management skills: Young children are still learning to control and express their emotions in words.
Because of this, they may exhibit aggressive behavior when they feel angry, irritated, afraid, or bored. - Lack of communication skills: If a child cannot clearly and effectively express his wants, needs, or feelings, he may use aggression as a way to get attention or achieve his goals.
- Modeling behavior. A child may observe aggressive behavior in his environment, such as family, kindergarten, school, or any other external environment.
He may imitate such behavior, especially if he sees that it brings results or attracts the attention of others. - Stress and insecurity: Some children may experience stress or insecurity in new situations or unfamiliar social interactions.
Aggressive behavior may be their way of protecting themselves or controlling their environment. - Physical or emotional needs: If a child is hungry, tired, in pain, or lacking attention, he or she may become aggressive in an attempt to get attention and meet their needs.
- Developmental disabilities: Some children may have certain mental health issues that may affect their ability to communicate effectively and regulate their emotions.
This does not indicate mental retardation of the child, sometimes such children can show phenomenal intellectual abilities. But, nevertheless, it is important to contact a good neurologist or psychiatrist in time.
Having identified the cause of aggression, you can begin to combat this problem as a whole. It is important to have patience and remember that aggression in parents breeds aggression in children.
