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| Why Do Children Act Aggressively? Much to our dismay, young children do behave aggressively, even violently, at times. The following list may help parents understand why children act this way. · Aggressive behavior is more likely to arise when a child is feeling hungry, thirsty, tired or sick. Children who want or need attention may also act aggressively to get it. · Children occasionally use agressive behavior as a means of asserting themselves. You may notice a three year old who topples over a playmate's block tower. While this act may appear to an adult to be a sort of hostile takeover, it's more likely to be a declaration of iindependence or an attempt to initiate play. Nonetheless, children need to learn more appropriate vehicles of expression. · Children who witness violent behavior - either on television, in movies or firsthand - are likely to imitate aggressive actions in their interactions with peers, teachers and family members. Likewise, children who are witnesses to or victims of abuse or violence at home or in school are likely to respond with aggression in their play. · Children who have not learned self-control will often act aggressively. When the adults in their lives set clear and consistent limits, young children will eventually learn to set limits on their own behavior. However, when children have limited or inconsistent guidance from caregivers, they have difficulty recognizing and monitoring their aggressive behaviors. · Children who have not learned more appropriate problem-solving techniques will often resort to violence as a means to resolve conflict. When children become frustrated because their playmate won't share a favorite toy, a parent is busy talking on the phone or a sibling has commandeered the Nintendo, they often respond with aggressive behavior. Children need guidance in finding other strategies for solving these types of problems and venting their frustration. |
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