Factors that Affect Child

Behavior

Michelle Perhus
Introduction

Children go through stages in which testing limits of their control is very

important.
It is hard for children to understand what is right and what is wrong.
This cannot normally be done until the frontal lobe has fully developed which
is during the later teenage years of life.
Some children take longer to understand directions completely.
Very early in their lives, children learn to mistrust adults. By the age of
two they gain this feeling that it is safer to not trust an adult rather than
to continuously be fooled.
 How Behavior is affected by ages and
stages
Behaviors differ based on the age of the child and their developmental stage.
As an infant:
It is commonly thought that spoiling children at a young age causes behavior problems
but it is impossible to spoil a young baby.
As a baby, behaviors are expressed mostly by facial expression and sounds.
As a toddler:
Toddlers are expressing emotions mostly through physical actions such as biting,
hitting, pushing, taking toys, etc.
Some emotions are not properly expressed and tend to hurt others. For example, if a
child is excited to see their friend and hits them, to that child it was an act of happiness
but to the child that was hit it was painful and hurt.
As a child:
Children are able to control behaviors and emotions easier and are beginning to solve
social conflicts.
Children are beginning to grasp the idea that hitting and pushing when angry are not
appropriate.
How Behavior is Affected by Culture
Appropriate behaviors vary upon culture to culture. It is important to
understand the childs culture before assessing their behavior.
Some cultures believe that children should be quiet and have obedience
while others feel it is natural for children to be loud and assertive.
Some cultures believe that independence is important for children while
others believe children should still be dependent.
Becoming familiar with customs and beliefs of a culture can help to
understand the behavior and use the culturally appropriate guidance
technique.
How Behavior is Affected by Child
Temperament

Family structure, home environment, and parent-child interactions at a young age

can play an important role in how temperament affects behavior.
A child with difficult temperament strives in a positive family whereas a child with a
difficult temperament and has assertive parents does more harm.
At even the earliest age it is important to communicate with the baby and to notice
how they respond to communication through facial expressions, sounds, movements.
This can enhance language skills and develop healthy social-emotional skills.
A loving bond nurtures child learning in the present and the future.

You cant change your childs temperament,

so help them develop strengths (McGhee, T.)
How Behavior is Affected by the
Classroom Environment
Often times challenging behaviors are caused by varying factors such as:
first time in a group setting
not knowing expectations
not having appropriate social skills
feeling bored
unable to express feelings or emotions properly
or transitions
Questions Teachers should think of concerning behaviors:
Why is the behavior occurring?
How can it be prevented?
How can I respond to the occurring behavior?
What new skills can I teach the child?
How Behavior is Affected by the
Classroom Environment Continued
It is important to have a predictable and structured daily routine.
Children learn and develop best in a trusting environment where they
are allowed to take risks, have open, honest and caring relationships,
and gives them a place to belong.
Important Facts to Remember When
Thinking About Behavior
Be precise, consistent, flexible
Say something once, keep it simple, do not argue, give choices
Over look small annoyances
Importantly, sometimes you just need to Get Over It!
Children need guidance meaning they need adults can help them
develop important skills such as being able to solve social conflicts and
problem-solving skills.
Sources

Hodgins, D. J. (2012).Get over it!: relearning guidance practices.

Manchester, MI: Wilderness Adventure Books.
McGhee, T. (2014, September 30). Understanding the Relation
Between Temperament and Behavior. Retrieved March, 2017, from
http://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/articles/editorials/understandin
g-the-relation-between-temperament-and-behavior
Miller, S. A., Church, E. B., & Poole, C. (n.d.). Ages & Stages: Really
Angry. Retrieved March 04, 2017, from
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/ages-s
tages-really-angry/

Staff, P. T. (2011, September 10). Is Your Little One On Track?

Childhood Development Stages. Retrieved March, 2017, from
https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-development/normaldevelop
ment/#.WLtCrTsrK00