Understanding Children's Behavioral Changes

 

Human beings undergo four developmental stages after birth: childhood, teenage, adolescence, and adulthood. The behaviour of every child undergoes significant changes as he/ she grows and develops. There are four major factors which are responsible for the behavioral transformation of a child: emotional, cognitive, social and physical developments. It is very imperative that parents, guardians, caregivers and other custodians of children and educators know these factors so as to be able to provide supportive environment geared towards fostering effective development of the children. One of the most noticeable behavioral changes in children is the transformation from toddlerhood to preschool age. At this developmental stage, a child begins to assert his/ her identity and independence. This newly attained self-actualization status rears its ugly head in the ways of tantrums, readiness to disobey parents' and authorities' instructions, aggression and belligerency. When this happens, parents and caregivers are shocked and sit at the edge of their seats helplessly watching the unfolding drama of bad behaviours in their children's lives. Many parents react angrily to this development whereas that is not the antidote to the problem. When your child deviates from the good behaviours that he/ she used to exhibit to a strange and evil ones, that is not the right time to shout at the top of your voice thinking that that will produce the needed solution to the problem. Rather, you should quietly take the child to your bedroom or inner chamber of your house and begin to talk to him/ her. If there is a name that he/ she bears that makes him/ her feel happy when called by that name, call him, her that name. Let him/ her sit directly in front of your or by your side. Begin gradually to tell him/ her about the early part of your own life and the mistakes you made and how it retarded your progress. Do not hide the mistakes and wrongdoings of your past life from your child. If the child understands that you are sincere and wishes that he/ she does not plunge into a pitfall like you, the child will immediately turn over a new leaf and begin to behave well. 

 You do not follow your child to school. But, your word of advice with passionate pleading does. If you indeed come down from your high horse and plead with the child to change for good, the child will surely accept it. If possible, prepare a sumptuous meal for him/ her to eat first. You can also give him/ her some money or any gift. Ensure that you make the child understand that you love him/ her exceedingly, and that you are ready to die because of him/ her should he/ she continue in the evil conducts. After that, tell him/ her that you are begging him/ her to change for good. If you think that you know any bad person he/ she is associating with, plead with him/ her to stop that unhealthy association immediately. Ask the child if there is anything he/ she wants you to do to please him/ her. If you follow this recipe, and stop all the shoutings and beatings, the child will change. 

 As children grow into school age, they begin to develop more complex social relationships. They learn to play and dance together with peers, do things turn by turn, resolve conflicts, and develop empathy to others. As they are doing these, they exhibit behavioral changes such as bullying, resentment, withdrawal from peer's association and other bad behaviours. Parents, upon noticing this, should be patient with them and strive to teach them kindness, empathy, tolerance and respect for everyone. During adolescence, children undergo significant emotional, cognitive and physical changes. These attitudinal shifts are irritability, mood imbalance, aggression and tantrums etc. Adolescents may begin to question parents, school authorities, challenge rules and regulations, and begin to establish their own identities. When this happens, parents, guardians, and caregivers should not be judgmental and angry with them. Rather, parents should ensure that they      
encourage them to deviate from wrong conducts and do right.

 Apart from these developmental factors, external factors such as cultural backgrounds. family dynamics, and socioeconomic factors can influence children's behavioral changes. For example, poor family background can make children to change their behaviours. They can steal, cheat, and commit other heinous crimes such as armed robbery to sustain their lives. Children who experienced neglect, social degradation, and abuse may also develop aggression, tantrums and withdrawals from relationships with others. Children from cultural backgrounds exhibit behavioral changes in harmony with their cultural values and norms and beliefs. What are the intervention measures to addressing children's behavioral changes? 

1. Parents should not be pissed off when their children deviate from ideals and values earlier inculcated into them and begin exhibiting bad behaviours. Rather, they should mildly talk to them for a change of attitudes. If possible, present a cash gift or anything that you can afford to the child. Persuade the child to change for good. 

2. Children should be encouraged to open up and express their feelings and needs. By so doing, parents and caregivers and guardians will know the areas where the children mostly need attention and support.

3. Parents, guardians, and caregivers should try as much as possible to help children develop emotional regulation skills.

 To recap, behavioral changes in children are natural and part and parcel of the children's growth and development. It is required that parents, guardians, and caregivers understand these changes and consequently adopt holistic strategies to combat behavioral changes so that the children may have healthy and unpertubed development for successful lives.

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