Thanks to advances in scientific research, developments have been made on early childhood development that has allowed scientists to advise parents on how to address their child’s behavioral developments. Such scientific research is incredibly useful in the sense that it allows parents, particularly new parents, to base their parenting methods on reputable sources. It’s important to note, however, that every child is different and unique, so not every set of rules or advice will apply to them.

Copyright: KaliAntye

Keeping that in mind, here is a list of common behavioral problems (as provided by Zero to Three) parents come across with young children, and positive ways to address them:

1. Exhibiting signs of aggression or acting aggressively

At first sight, it may appear alarming that your child is behaving in an aggressive manner, but it’s important to realize that often times, especially for children aged birth to 18 months, they are only acting on impulse and are not aware of their actions. Children at this age have not yet developed enough to communicate their feelings and emotions effectively, so although it may be alarming to see your child lashing out, it’s a common feature of development, and as they learn more about discipline and setting apart right from wrong, period of aggressive behavior will slowly wane.

One of the best ways to address aggression in children, especially in toddlers, is to redirect the child’s attention to something positive, such as playing or learning, essentially provide them with a distraction. In doing so, the child will have learned to fuel the energy they would have wasted on something productive and beneficial. It’s important to note that the calmer you address your child, the quicker they will calm down, but maintain a firm and strong voice, to teach them discipline while simultaneously teaching them that a calm and maintained demeanor is best in challenging situations.

Copyright: Pressmaster

2. Teaching your child how to learn to cooperate

Cooperation may be a difficult concept for a child to learn to understand, especially in their early stages of life. In order to allow the child to experience the positive aspects of cooperation, by placing them in situations in which there is clear benefits for the child, they will subconsciously begin to develop a sense of understanding and appreciation for cooperation. By experiencing the benefits of cooperation, for example, while sharing the work while doing chores, children will learn the symbiotic relationship involved with cooperation. Praise is also important in these types of situations, as the child will learn to develop a positive attitude towards actions if praised and encouraged to continue doing them. It’s also important to give your child some autonomy while still enforcing the rules and a sense of discipline. Allowing the child to develop some extent of independence will further aid in their development and be beneficial in cooperating in groups as well.

Copyright: Iakov Filimonov

3. Supporting children who are shy

Each child grows differently, and as they grow up and experience different social situations, they develop different mechanisms in interacting with other children. Some children are quick to adapt to new situations and are comfortable interacting with new people. Other children are more hesitant and would rather be around people they are comfortable with. There is no reason why one of these behaviors should be determined as ‘better’ or more ‘normal’ than the other, as both are completely acceptable ways that children approach new social situations.

Copyright: AlohaHawaii

If you are concerned that your child is overly hesitant on interacting with other children, here are some tips that may help your child step out of their comfort zone:

• Help your child boost their confidence by showing/telling them that you love and accept them for who they are. This includes refraining from using negative labels to characterize your child and their actions (i.e. calling them shy or reclusive), but rather helping them feel more comfortable with themselves.
• Slowly help them integrate into larger groups, starting off with inviting over some close friends who your child is comfortable with, then moving on to larger groups where your child has an opportunity to meet new children and further develop his social skills. However, if your child is uncomfortable with the idea of being put in a place surrounded by new faces, respect their wishes. It’s also important to give your child notice if a large event is forthcoming, as giving them a chance to mentally prepare will make them feel as though they have more control over the situation, hence making them more comfortable.
• Set an example for your child by demonstrating outgoing and friendly behavior in social situations. Children are incredibly susceptible to their parents’ actions, and often will pick up on their parents’ tendencies and behaviors, so be a good role model for your child!

Although it’s very important to try and find ways to best aid and support your children in their development, it’s equally important to rely on your parental instinct and judgement when it comes to making decisions about your child’s life. Help ensure that your child has a safe and comfortable environment to grow and develop, while keeping in mind that the best way to protect your children is to help them and support them in a positive manner.

The post Early Childhood Development: Challenging Behaviors appeared first on Novak Djokovic Foundation.

Source: www.anxioustoddlers.com

The post Infographic: Child Therapist’s List of Top Worries by Age appeared first on Novak Djokovic Foundation.

When the word ‘childhood’ comes to mind, most of us remember a time spent playing, relishing the joys of childhood, a time with no worries or responsibilities, when we were left to explore the world around us. For many children around the world, unfortunately, their childhood is spent coping with the horrors of war and conflict, attempting to make sense of an atrocity that will stain their lives forever.

Childhood is the period of their lives that children should spend learning, molding their brains and developing their intellect. Instead children growing up in war zones have to overcome great psychological and psychical distress, can hardly gather the mental and physical resources to continue their education, nevertheless maintain their health and wellbeing.

A UNICEF report released in January showed that nearly 24 million children living in conflict zones are out of school. These conflict zones in particular are war-torn countries like Syria and Siberia.

Children living in countries affected by conflict have lost their homes, family members, friends, safety, and routine. Now, unable to learn even the basic reading and writing skills, they are at risk of losing their futures and missing out on the opportunity to contribute to their economies and societies when they reach adulthood, said UNICEF Chief of Education Jo Bourne.

What Is Toxic Stress and How It Affects Children?

Perhaps the greatest injustice of all is inflicting ill and pain onto children. Children, the characterization of innocence and purity, are being subject to great suffering at no fault of their own.  It’s easy to overlook children in the midst of great conflict, but let us not forget that children are the future of the world, and their destruction, be it mental or physical, will only result in harm to the greater community.

The devastating impacts of the conflict in Serbia and the Slavic countries of Europe can still be seen today, as the country works to rebuild itself from years of internal and external conflict, a conflict that has caused millions of deaths and injuries, and has created long-term consequences that continue to plague the nation.

Editorial Credit: Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.com

Children who have to grow up in such environments, who have to adjust to the constant threat of war and violence, develop a different type of mentality and attitude towards the world. Either they fall prey to the cycle of violence that they have been exposed to or they rise above the adverse conditions and set prime examples of resilience and perseverance. Many youth and children who grew up in warn torn nations embark on a journey to the free world, to escape the atrocities they’ve been engulfed in their entire lives. IF they are successful, they carry with them a burden and history that motivates and encourages them to pursue their dreams – to take advantages of the privileges that accompany living in a free and democratic country.

The current situation in Syria, that seems to be worsening rather than improving, is one of the prime examples of conflict situations that are most directly affecting youth and children. With estimates of 6.6 million people currently displaced, Syria is in desperate need of humanitarian resources to aid its remaining surviving citizens.

Editorial Credit: Ververidis Vasilis / Shutterstock.com

To think, that children and youth that once inhabited these regions, used to dream of attending school and eventually finding jobs in field they were passionate about, beit medicine, art, law, or sports, and now their sole purpose is survival. Education is a low priority in times of great conflict, and unfortunately, most leaders fail to realize that a lack of education is the stem of conflict and violence in such areas.

By fuelling most of the resources into the army and defense measures, education systems are being neglected. A lack of education and awareness creates a cohort of unprepared youth, that in desperate attempts to provide food and shelter for themselves and their families get further drawn into the conflict that poisons their respective nations. This cycle of war and violence is what impedes progress and continues to be a source of great problems.

Overcome and Rise above

These youth may have had their childhoods stripped from them in a rage of violence and injustice, but perhaps this massive fault will inspire them to work towards a peaceful future.

They say that experience is the greatest motivator, and I hope, as do many along me, that these youth will find ways to rise above the cruelty that has been flung their way, and will work to make a positive contribution to the world, to help ensure that no child will have to experience the horrors that they had to.

Editorial Credit: Lukasz Z / Shutterstock.com

These youth need our help. They cannot fight for peace when they don’t even food or the basic resources to sustain life. They have gone through hell and are still struggling amidst war and conflict, and even the few ‘lucky’ ones who find refuge in foreign countries are met with scrutiny, racism, starvation – far from a warm welcome.

It’s understandable why most countries are reluctant to freely allow all refugees into their countries, as threats of terrorist infiltration is high, but we cannot allow our fear to dictate us and our actions. There are more effective and humane ways of classifying and screening refugees, and allowing them to assimilate to our societies so that they may recover from the horrors they’ve undergone and join our efforts as a united global community against war and violence.

The post Conflict Zone Children At Risk Of Toxic Stress appeared first on Novak Djokovic Foundation.

We all know that our childhood and adolescent experiences can shape our adult personalities and characters. Adults frequently exhibit mannerisms and patterns that are remnants of their past: if a woman has fond memories of childhood camping trips, she will likely continue to find comfort and peace in nature; if a man grew up on the music of his parent’s generation, he’ll probably listen to the same genre and style of music throughout adulthood.

But just how early do we start being affected by our experiences and circumstances? How early do we begin exhibiting the consequences of unstable environments? How do these types of situations manifest themselves later in life? And what are the implications of this data?

Mental health in early childhood

Mental health problems and their symptoms as they pertain to adults and even teenagers are often discussed and heard. However, far less visible is the significance of mental health in early childhood. Serious behavioral issues are often chalked up to a simply undesirable personality, rather than symptoms of a larger problem. In fact, significant mental health problems do exist in young children – attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder”¦ But due to the unpredictable and uncertain nature of all children, it is difficult for even professionals to diagnose, let alone for the average parent or caretaker to perceive. Still, mental health problems in young children must be addressed, as they pose greater risks as the child matures.

Copyright: ISchmidt

So what is the cause of mental health problems in children?  

Certainly, genetics play an important role in determining whether a child will exhibit issues. However, genes are not the only cause. Contrary to popular belief, genes are only blueprints. They contain instructions, but those instructions can be affected by the experiences and circumstances that children endure.

In the first few years of a child’s life, the brain develops at an incredibly rapid pace. Between 700 and 1000 connections are formed every second in the brain during this time. However, these connections are reinforced by experience and repeated use, and weaker bonds are soon broken once pruning begins, which is when the brain discards connections that seem irrelevant to increase efficiency. As such, experience and genetics play equal roles in determining the mental health of children.

Early childhood plays a critical role in building the foundation for lifelong good mental health

The experiences of a child’s first few years shape the architecture of the brain. A child’s relationships with parents, caregivers, teachers and peers are especially significant in providing a strong basis for later behavior, be it good or bad. If the child’s environment is strong, these relationships will provide a buffering effect when he or she is forced into a stressful situation. However, if he or she is surrounded by significant adversity, such as domestic violence or parental substance abuse, the child’s biological response to stress will become overactive, and he or she will be especially susceptible to mental health problems.

Copyright: CandyBox Images

When a child is in a persistently traumatic environment, a form of stress that is especially destructive, called toxic stress, begins to damage the architecture of the brain. This is due to the damage caused by long periods of high stress levels when biological stress response systems are activated for extended amounts of time. These adverse experiences predict the emergence of both physical and mental health problems later in life, such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, toxic stress also damages the child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development, impairing his or her ability to learn and relate to others. If left untreated, this will continue to develop, leading to abnormal hormone levels that can affect school readiness and later academic achievement, as well as elevating the risk of the emergence of physical and mental problems in adult life.

It is incredibly important to diagnose and treat mental health problems early

Fortunately, the certain actions when taken early can mitigate the damaging consequences of early childhood toxic stress. It is incredibly important to diagnose and treat mental health problems early, as it is both easier and more cost-effective to alleviate these issues when spotted early. Symptoms of potential mental health problems do not always become disorders, and these disorders can be prevented by providing access to the right combination of appropriate, high-quality care. Though the children who are most at risk of developing mental disorders – ones that grow up in poverty or are plagued by domestic strife – are often those that have the greatest difficulty accessing the services they need, it is possible to protect the children living in such threatening environments. Indeed, it is frequently necessary to focus on the needs of a child’s caregiver when trying to meet the needs of the child. By coordinating services that focus on the entire scope of the child’s environment, we can mitigate the dangers of destructive environments to ensure the long term mental health of the child.

Copyright: Iakov Filimonov

The implications of this information are incredibly significant. By reducing the onset of mental health problems in early childhood, not only will we be increasing the quality of life for a number of children, but we will also be targeting the roots of substance abuse and other problems that pervade society. Early childhood mental health is an immensely important issue, and preventing its manifestation could make a huge positive impact on our society.

The post The Significance of Mental Health in Early Childhood appeared first on Novak Djokovic Foundation.