No child is perfect, and child experts caution that youngsters may act inappropriately because they don't really know what to do when they are frustrated, disappointed, tired, or perhaps just curious. While some behaviors provide optimal moments to teach a young child a better way to act, others must be stopped at once because they either hurt a child or are inappropriate in a social setting. Here are ones that can't be ignored and just clamor for adult intervention...now!
Biting can be painful, and alas, it is one of the most common behavioral concerns voiced by child care providers and parents alike. There is never an acceptable reason for a child to bite another, although frustration is often a key factor in why a child bites.
Who hasn't witnessed an out-of-control toddler thrashing and screeching and literally melting down before your eyes over who knows what? It's one thing if the tot has a meltdown in the privacy of your own home, but when it is in a public setting or in a child care atmosphere where other kids are present, the behavior needs to be stopped.
Kids can tease unmercifully, and unless stopped, teasing can cause lasting ill effects for a child who is subject to ridicule or humiliation. Adults have to step in to stop this hurtful behavior.
Being excluded from peer activities, whether it is on the playground, while eating lunch, or evern during academics or circle time, can create lasting damage to a young child's self-esteem and ability to make friends.
Night terrors can be difficult enough for a family but if a child who is taking a nap awakens at child care screaming and utterly terrified, then there is a problem on everyone's hands that needs to be dealt with.
Have you ever noticed how most kids have a voice pitch of "loud" and "louder?" Sometimes, the deafening roar can be okay; most of the time, however, it's got to be stopped!
Bullying has been around as long as their have been kids, but it is bad behavior that must be stopped at once and the bullies made to understand significant consequences for subjecting an innocent victim to their threats ever again. A sad commentary is that girl bullies are on the grow, and meanness comes intertwined with the threatening bully behavior.
Many young kids become anxious or even extremely upset over the notion of separating from their parents to go to day care or school. What's a parent to do?
It is one thing if your toddler likes to run around the house naked, but quite another if a child in any care setting around other children commences to take off his clothes and exhibit nakedness around peers. For obvious reasons, while being "nakie" may be okay in some situations, group settings with other children is a big no-no occasion for nakedness. Lil' streakers will have to learn that there is a time and place for everything!
Usually, it's nothing more than self-discovery and innocent curiosity. But when kids play with their "privates" or touch or are overly-curious about others' body parts, it's time to step in. After all, certain things are just not appropriate in a child care setting.
