HELPING YOUNG CHILDREN CHANNEL THEIR AGGRESSIVE ENERGIES (FROM CARING FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS IN VIOLENT ENVIRONMENTS: HURT, HEALING, AND HOPE, P 13-19, 1994, JOY D OSOFSKY AND EMILY FENICHEL, EDS.)

• NCJ Number: 145968
• Author(s): S Provence
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; Zero To Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families
• Publication Type: Training (Aid/Material)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper suggests ways in which parents can deal constructively with their children's aggressive behavior.

Abstract

The building of a loving bond between parent and child becomes the foundation for the child's acceptance of parental guidance as the child develops. In addressing a child's aggressive behavior, parents should analyze what triggered the aggressive behavior. Parents should use what they know about a child's temperament, rhythms, preferences, and sensitivities to avoid situations that stimulate aggression. Parents must tell their children what is expected of them in a specific situation without giving a long lecture. When a young child is playing with other children, parents should keep an eye on the situation without providing strict supervision. When a child is aggressive in unacceptable ways, parents should stop the behavior and give the child something else to do. They should teach children how to handle situations without conflict and aggression, and help the child to explain why he is angry. Parents should be mindful that they are role models for their children in the handling of anger and the avoidance of aggression. Parents must accept that behavioral learning is a gradual process that requires consistent guidance in many situations over time. A case study is provided of a child reared in a violent environment with loving guidance and support.