Many children choose to retaliate when they do not like something another child has done. They may slap, bite, pinch, scratch, shove, kick, or knock down other children. Many times they use force because it is the easiest way to get what they want. They also may model aggressive behaviors from others.

Poor Sleep Makes Behavior Worse in Kids

The mother clenches her teeth, lets out a sigh, and prepares for the homework battle with her son. It has become harder and harder to get him to complete the work he brings home from school. It was bad before because of her son’s difficulty paying attention but he now is so moody that it…

Building a Child by Giving Good Structure

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin came up with this proverb and most people focus on the final portion regarding death and taxes. What is often missed is the beginning of the proverb which is quite important, particularly when working with children. Uncertainty in the…

Who is Mad, Sad, Glad, or Scared?

Several 4-year olds are playing in a daycare. All of a sudden, Stevie grabs a toy out of Johnny’s hand. Johnny screams, “That’s mine!” Stevie responds by swinging the toy and hitting Johnny in the arm. Johnny immediately bursts into tears as a daycare provider comes swooping into the fray. The daycare worker quickly figures…

An Ounce of Communication is Worth a Pound of Yelling

The first nine weeks of school arrives and the report card comes home. Mom opens her child’s report card to find that her little Einstein is failing a class and barely passing a couple of others. When she shows the report to the boy, he says, “My teacher is horrible. She never explains anything and…