Hello, I am a Heart Detective coach. Everything is easy. I can see that your problem is that your three-year-old boy cannot handle negative emotions. How should you guide him? You have a three-year-old boy at home, and most of the time he is quite good. But he will cry and throw a tantrum for no reason.
You may be able to understand his sadness or anger, but you cannot accept his tantrums or even his attempts to hit people. You feel anxious about being unable to guide your child's emotions. I will answer your questions.
1. Understand the characteristics of children's physical and mental development.
The renowned developmental psychologist Jean Piaget conducted a seminal experiment called the Three Mountains Experiment, which irrefutably demonstrated that young children aged 2-7 are egocentric when forming judgments about things and are incapable of adopting the perspectives of others. In another experiment designed by other researchers, it was conclusively established that when the scenario is familiar to the child and the problem is straightforward for the child to comprehend, the child is able to consider the perspectives of others. This illustrates that the child is undergoing a process of transition from being egocentric to understanding problems. (From Lin Chongde's Developmental Psychology)
It is crucial to focus on a child's self-esteem, as it is the most significant aspect in their early years. A child's self-esteem is shaped by their parents' parenting style. Research has proven that parents of children with high self-esteem are typically warmer and more supportive, setting a positive example for their children and respecting their opinions. Conversely, children who are spoiled and raised with inconsistent parenting tend to develop low self-esteem.
Boys also tend to engage in more verbal and physical aggression than girls, due to gender differences.
The problem owner must learn to read books on child-rearing such as "Every Child Needs to Be Seen," "Positive Discipline," "Raising Boys," and "Seeing Is Loving." This is the only way to actively learn about the physical and mental development characteristics of children and understand the inner world of children. This will help you to more patiently and effectively accompany your child's growth.
2. Accompany your child and see their needs.
Every problematic child behavior is driven by a hidden need.
If a child cries and throws a tantrum for no apparent reason, this is an opportunity to observe and understand their needs. Record the times the child cries and throws tantrums, what happened before, changes in their expression and behavior, what they say and do, how the parents respond, and what the parents say and do. This will help you find the reason for the tantrum and solve the problem.
When a child's needs are not met, they may throw tantrums and hit others. It's important to determine whether they learned these behaviors from family members or other children. It's also crucial to understand whether the child's needs are met every time they do this, thus reinforcing their bad behavior. Finally, it's essential to examine how parents respond when their child's needs are not met.
Psychology has effective reinforcement methods that encourage rewarding positive behaviors and reducing rewards for negative ones. If you want your child to stop a certain behavior, you can use punishment or extinction methods, depending on the situation. Punish moderately or ignore bad behavior. If the child cannot get what they need from this behavior, they will change it.
It is crucial to express love for children promptly to prevent them from feeling bad and unloved due to punishment and neglect. These are bad behaviors, not the child's fault. When a child is emotional, it is essential for the parent to remain calm and be there for the child, supporting them through the crying and tantrum period. Once the child stops throwing tantrums and hitting others, the parent should give the child a hug and a reward. This process is also a test for the parent.
3. You must accompany your child's growth through play.
The process of parents accompanying their children as they grow up is also a process of self-growth. In the parent-child relationship, we can see our own unmet needs as children. The process of growing up with our children is also a process of growing up with that inner self, a process of relearning to love and respect.
Play is the best way to accompany children as they grow up. Children present their own thoughts and needs in play, and the mode of interaction with others is also the mode of interaction with others in the future. Parents who accompany their children in the game more often can guide children to actively engage with others, meet their own needs in a more reasonable way, teach children to learn to share with others, how to respect others, and how to respect themselves. At the same time, children also feel the attention and attention of their parents in the game, and children will feel love, and self-esteem will slowly form.
Playing with children is an important part of their development and a great way to open up their minds. It is a waste of time to think otherwise.
Scholars of psychotherapy have confirmed that play has the effect of healing children's hearts. Sandplay in psychotherapy is a suitable form of therapy for children and adults alike. It allows patients to express their inner feelings freely through sand and molds, effectively presenting the world of their subconscious mind. This form of therapy is highly effective in treating a range of psychological issues.
I am confident that the questioner will overcome their distress soon, learn and grow, and become a better companion for the children. Best of luck.
If you want to communicate with me further, click below to find a coach to interpret, choose Heart Exploration to accompany and chat, and communicate with me one-on-one. I wish you the best.
Comments
It's totally normal for kids to have their moments; my little one also has those unpredictable phases. Every parent faces this, and it's part of the learning process for both kids and parents. I try to stay calm and talk to my child about his feelings, teaching him better ways to express himself. Sometimes setting up a quiet time corner helps him cool down. Understanding that these outbursts are just temporary can make them easier to handle. Teaching empathy early on can help manage those tough situations. It's important to set boundaries while showing understanding. Redirecting his attention to something positive often works wonders for us.