Parenting & Child Development
Parenting is a full-time, non-stop job. It’s full of stress, as well as hardships, and constant worries. Temper tantrums and arguments can leave you at the end of your rope. For example, you might ask what more you could be doing or you might ask if you’ve done something wrong. You may also wonder if life will be like this forever. We’re here to tell you that you’re most likely doing your best, especially if you’re asking these questions. Any person seeking knowledge and improvement for the betterment of a child is a rockstar!
Understanding child development and typical child behaviors can help relieve parenting stress. In this article, we’ll break down the basics of child behavior. This knowledge can help you set realistic behavior expectations for your kids. Maybe most importantly, it can give you some perspective and reassurance. Parents everywhere are facing the same problem, and things will get better. Each child is different, but there are common behaviors for each age. Understanding this will help you set healthy boundaries for yourself and prepare for behavior discussions with your child.
Common Behaviors
So, let’s break down common developmental behaviors that you can expect in each age group:
Infants (0-12 Months)
- Crying to communicate their needs
- Putting foreign objects in their mouth
- Fearful or wary of strangers
1-2 Years
- Bossy or selfish tendencies
- Unable to regulate emotions
- “No,” becomes more frequent in their vocabulary
3-4 Years
- Increase in independency and confidence
- Struggles with sharing, and competition
- Fears or phobias start to develop
- Becoming more resistant to sleep
5-6 Years
- “It’s not fair!”
- Fear of failure and criticism develops
- Interested in learning new topics
- Enjoying “potty humor” and jokes
7-11 Years
- Lack of self-confidence and self-esteem
- Feelings of being misunderstood or criticized
- Becoming more argumentative and/or abrasive
- Friends start to take priority over family
Adolescence
- Self image is important to them
- Taking risks or acting impulsively
- Experimenting with image and identity
- Distancing from parents or guardians
While understanding child development is helpful, parenting is still difficult. That’s where we can help. Here at Prevent Child Abuse Utah, we offer an amazing program called Parents As Teachers. Our trained Parent Educators can offer you parenting support through FREE home visitation! Moreover, the program builds off of the strengths that you already have as a parent and helps you find the best way to support your child’s growth and development. Strong and healthy parents help keep children safe. If you are interested in signing up for our family support educators, click here and get started now!
If you would like to learn more about child development and knowledge of parenting, then join us at our Joining Forces Conference, January 26 & 27. Register now!