7 Common Behavior Problems of Children That You Should Know of ...

By Marquitta

7 Common Behavior Problems of Children That You Should Know of ...

If your kid is growing up and acting out a little, have no fear; they are probably just going through a few of the common behavior problems of children that are much more common than you think. Kids go through rough patches just like adults, and it’s important to recognize these rough patches so you’re not alarmed or you don’t feel like you’re a bad parent. Many people are quick to judge the parents when they see a child exhibiting unwanted behavior. That’s why it’s important to be a little informed in the area of child development. By learning a few common behavior problems of children that most children exhibit, you as a parent or bystander can be informed and understanding of the child’s behavior.

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1

Regression

One of the most common behavior problems of children is regression. When a child regresses, they act as they did when they were younger. Have you ever seen a 4 year old throw a temper tantrum like a 2 year old? Did it cross your mind that the kid was way too old to act that way? Well, they were regressing. It’s very common for kids to regress, especially if emotions are running high.

2

Clinging

I’m sure you’ve seen a child throw a fit when they were separated from a parent. It usually stops when the child feels a little bit more comfortable and less anxious when separating from a parent. Clinging is normal and unbelievably common; as a matter of fact, I just saw a little girl clinging to her mom in Target yesterday!

3

Sleep Disturbances

Sleep disturbances happen when children have bad dreams or fears at night, and they constantly want to sleep with their caregivers, or they can’t seem to sleep at all. This doesn’t seem like a behavioral problem, but it could be considered a problem to many parents if it doesn’t stop after a few nights.

4

Fears

Fears are very common among young children, which can sometimes disturb their daily schedules. Many times these fears are pretty extreme. For example, some kids refuse to take baths because they are afraid they will be sucked down the drain with the bathwater. To reduce some of these fears, many parents just explain things to them, and that seems to work a lot of the time.

5

Negativism

Negativism is when a child says “No,” over, and over, and over again! “No” is all they know! Have you ever offered a kid candy and they frowned at you, said “no,” and still took it anyway? It happens more often than you'd think!

Famous Quotes

Meaning is not what you start with but what you end up with.

Peter Elbow
6

Lying

Lying is a common behavioral problem that really gets to parents. When their children lie to them, they believe they’re raising delinquents. Don’t think that way! It’s not unusual for children to lie; it’s a common behavior problem that many caregivers face. However, it’s very important to carefully distinguish the difference between lying and fantasy. A child may have imaginary friends, and it could be devastating to them if they’re accused of lying about their friend that is very real to them.

7

Rebellion

Finally, there’s rebellion. Many children, especially school-aged children, love to test their limits with their parents. They like to see how far they can go without getting into too much trouble or sacrificing what they value. Rebellion is normal, and if it doesn’t occur when the child is younger, parents should definitely expect it in the teenage years!

In no way do I encourage parents and caregivers to ignore or accept unacceptable behavior. However, I do believe there’s value in knowing what is typical and atypical of child behavior. So now that you know a few of the common behavior problems that children exhibit as they develop, you can either be prepared for when they arrive, or you can rest assured that it’s perfectly normal behavior that you shouldn’t feel reflects yours or another person’s parenting. Your child may never experience any of these behavior problems, but it’s always good to know what’s typical, so you can be prepared if they do. Do you know of any kids who’ve been through any of these stages? Share your experiences.

Sources:
Watson, D. (1992). Psychology. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

All of these traits in children are so true. My ex best friend had all of these traits and instead of discouraging them her mother babied her. When she was my roommate in college, her mother even wrote her papers and emailed them to her to turn into her teacher! Now she's a heroin addict, no job, and no education. Her mother refuses to believe that her addiction is real, and she continues to enable her! The moral of my story is that if you are a parent and see these signs, do something about it. Get your child counseling. Discipline your child. Try and change their behavior so when they are adults they can have some self respect so they don't turn out like my ex best friend!

Clinging is understandable if a child is surrounded by strangers. People are crazy these days! If my daughter is clinging on to me while I am shopping in Target, then I will cling back onto her.

All of these traits are common because the majority of parents allow it. I agree with Shannon, if your child is behaving this way, find a way to snub it before they grow up thinking life evolves around their emotions. We can still guide them with both firmness and love. The easiest way to avoid teenage behavioural incidents (most, hopefully lol) is to teach them when they are young. Let your yes mean yes, and your no mean no.

Thank you. Going through all that with my toddlers. Good to know a bit hard to accept as 'OK'. Still glad to have read it.

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