If learning is harder for your child then their behaviour is more likely to be challenging

You can probably relate to this challenging situation. You go to a supermarket and your child wants you to buy the packet of lollies at the register. Your answer is “No”: You don’t want your child eating lollies! You’re in charge, you’re the parent  and you’ve said “no”. But your child  isn’t taking “no” for an answer. You repeat yourself: “No”.  They get louder and more demanding. You don’t want your child to be making a scene. You have to work out what to do next.

Does this sound familiar?  All day long parents encounter times when they need to manage their child’s behaviour: at the supermarket, at dinner time, bedtime, when you are trying to leave the park or a a friend’s place.  It will be anywhere or at any time.

These behaviours are typical of any child. This is because learning new things is hard. Learning to manage your emotions and think about others takes years to develop. When things are hard we avoid them or get frustrated. If we can help a child be less impulsive, think about what other people need and be less frustrated they will actually find learning easier. It is important for parents to expect and support their child to manage their behaviour. It is exhausting though and help to know how to react is worth finding.

If learning is hard for every child and leads to behaviour parents find challenging, then no wonder children who have delays in development are more likely to need behaviour support. Like learning in all developmental areas, support needs to start early in a child’s life. Frustrated children don’t learn as well.  To help your child’s learning we need we need to help them manage their behaviour.  As with all areas of development, our early childhood intervention team members can tailor your child’s learning to help it make a greater difference.