Aggressive Behavior
An aggressive child is one who hits, bites, bullies, demands and/or destroys. Although aggression is a part of human nature, most people learn to manage and control their aggressive impulses and to channel them into appropriate and socially acceptable activities.
Some of a parent’s most trying and embarrassing moments occur during a child’s temper tantrums. The youngster who expresses her anger or frustration by screaming, throwing toys or hitting a playmate, perhaps hurting others or even herself, the child who falls to the floor crying when she doesn’t get her way, perhaps even swearing or destroying property; these children present a special challenge.
Much of their dismay, parents often discover that during the middle years of childhood their youngsters are being dishonest and are stealing, lying or cheating. This can be a real shock and the first response of many parents is to be embarrassed, angry and occasionally explosive.
Children younger than age six often have difficulty distinguishing between reality and fantasy. Hence, for them there is often an uncertainty boundary between truth and fiction.
From time to time most children defy the wishes of their parents. This is a part of growing up and testing adult guidelines and expectations. It is one way for children to learn about and discover their own selves, express their individuality, and achieve a sense of autonomy. As they stretch their independent wings and engage in minor conflicts with their parents, they discover the boundaries of their parents’ rule of their own self-control.
Cheating
Cheating is the result of competition. In our culture, with few expectations, competitiveness is commonplace and in fact is rewarded. Children learn that losing is bad, and especially in the early school years, their wish to do well is very strong.
Good social skills are necessary for success, security and adjustment in life, whether in the home, the classroom, the playground or the community. When a child is able to interact well with others, she will develop and maintain resiliency when encountering stress and will be better able to compensate for shortcomings or failures in other parts of life. On the other hand, inadequate or inappropriate social skills – and the peer rejection that they may cause – can contribute to social, behavioral, emotional and academic problems.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that affects the behavior, attention, and learning of children. If it is unrecognized, these children can face excessive criticism, failure and disappointment, while their parents struggle with what to do.
Only a physician or psychologist can properly diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. If your child exhibits several of the following symptoms, which are associated with ADHD, have him evaluated by a physician, child neurologist, child psychiatrist or a pediatric specialist.
