Did you know that even preschoolers are known to act violently? As parents and other adults, people tend to minimize the impact of childhood abuse. This is an extremely troubling and complex issue that requires immediate attention. Sometimes parents worry about seeing violent behavior in children, but they expect them to grow out of it. However, what they don’t understand is that violent behavior in children needs to be treated seriously. So don’t write it as “just a phase”.
Common Violent Behaviors in Children
Warning signs help parents identify children at risk of becoming aggressive and address their needs before problems escalate. Parents model nonviolence by modeling strong problem-solving skills and talking with their children. Additionally, spending time together helps parents develop loving bonds with their children, which reassures young people that their parents would do everything possible to keep them safe.
Violent behavior in children and adolescents includes a wide range of behaviors:
- Explosive temper tantrums
- Physical aggression
- Struggle
- Threats or attempts to hurt others (including thoughts of wanting to kill others)
- Use of weapons
- Animal cruelty
- Set on fire
- Intentional destruction of property
- Vandalism
What could trigger violence in children?
In some circumstances, children go wild because they are irritated by a problem that is too big for them. It may also be because they haven’t learned how to manage their emotions or solve problems in a socially acceptable way.
Under certain circumstances, children may face unique challenges such as stressful life events, emotional control issues, trouble concentrating, autism, or hyperactivity. Adults can have a dramatic effect in any situation, even when children have been diagnosed with major behavioral issues.
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How to deal with aggressive and violent children?
Here are some suggestions on how to deal with aggressive behavior in young people:
1. Recognize the causes of aggression
If a child’s aggression is frequently aimed at their parents, child psychologists believe that children are unable to convey their feelings of helplessness, worry, or anger to their parents appropriately. As a result, they act aggressively and are more prone to hitting, shoving, kicking, and shouting. The best way to help them is to teach them to express their feelings through words rather than aggression.
2. Abuse has no justification
Accept no justification for abuse in your home. Put this on a piece of paper and stick it on the fridge. Make “there is no excuse for abuse” your household mantra. Hold your child accountable for his aggressive actions, regardless of the explanation. Remember that being verbally provoked is neither an excuse for abuse nor a justification for a violent response. The bottom line is that there is no excuse for abuse, ever!
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3. Help them bring out their creative side
Encourage young people to pursue hobbies such as drawing, cycling, swimming and reading. This will help children distract their thoughts from anger or other unwanted emotions. Children can express their rage by stamping their feet, sprinting, riding bikes, pounding on clay, or even dancing. Extracurricular activities are a great method to maintain a happy and pleasant attitude.
4. Help them control their anger with linguistics
Parents should provide their children with verbal alternatives to their anger, such as counting down from one hundred to one. Sing loudly and run around the house until they can control their emotions. Read to them aloud until they realize what is troubling them. Parents should have one-on-one conversations with their children from an early age. This will allow them to form a deeper bond with their children, who will feel more comfortable communicating their emotions.
Read also : Mental Disorders in Children: Know the Warning Signs You Need to Watch Out For
5. Keep children away from violent shows
Children who are exposed to aggressive or violent behavior on television or in computer games or by their parents at home are more likely to be aggressive. Limit your child’s exposure to these programs if he is constantly violent. Choose storybooks and TV shows that promote compassion, fun, and good values to reinforce the message. Parents also need to be mindful of their behavior in relationships. Any unpleasant behavior displayed by parents is easily replicated by children.
Humans are not born with a programming that causes them to react negatively to the world. We all have the ability to be aggressive. Whether we do this or not is determined by our perception of the world. So make sure your child doesn’t have an underlying problem that could trigger the violent behavior.
