How to Tell If Your Child's Behavior Is Normal

Infancy (0-1 Years Old)

• 1

  Pay close attention to your infant's behavior. Look for whether or not he trusts you and other primary caregivers. It is important for infants to develop healthy trust bonds with their parents. If your infant cries or tries to move away from you on a regular basis, his behavior may not be normal, but if your child enjoys your company and longs to be around you, then the behavior is normal.

• 2

  Look for mild to moderate amounts of crying and resistance, especially when your infant is being presented with new experiences. A lack of response to new circumstances or feelings may mean that your infant is not exhibiting normal behavior. But stress and displeasure when presented with such things may be a sign of normal behavior.

• 3

  See if your baby responds to positive stimuli. Your child should respond to being touched, handled and even spoken to.

Early Childhood (2-7 Years Old)

• 4

  Look for ego-centrism in your child. He may behave as though he can only see things from his own perspective and may not yet be able to rationalize how others may feel or view things. He should begin to understand these processes and learn to share both possessions and feelings. This is normal behavior.

• 5

  Listen for the word "No." Young children will use this word often as a way to assert their independence. Saying "No" helps them to feel as though they have some control over their lives and what happens to them. You child is also learning about cause and effect and may realize that what he says or does gets a response from you and others.

• 6

  Pay attention to how your child plays. He may play with imaginary friends or make up pretend games often. This is normal behavior.

• 7

  Look for signs that your child is paying close attention to the mistakes he makes and to who he is regarding gender and culture. Your child may be hard on himself when making even simple mistakes and may question where he fits into society or into the family regarding gender and culture.

Pre-adolescence (7-11 Years Old)

• 8

  Monitor your child's aggression. During these years, children should be less aggressive than during earlier and later years. They should be stable emotionally and generally be happy and adaptable.

• 9

  Monitor your child's friendships. He should see social interaction as important and should enjoy being with friends. He should also want to be very good at at least one thing, such as a sport, a hobby or a school subject.

• 10

  Pay attention to how your child interacts with peers and siblings. Rivalries and competition provide opportunities for your child to evaluate himself and to figure out what he is good at. Your child should want to compete and prove himself.

Adolescence (12-18 Years Old)

• 11

  Take notice of your child's social and moral development. He should greatly seek and enjoy the company of friends and peers. He should also have a strong sense of the difference between right and wrong, and his behaviors should reflect the knowledge of this. He should feel guilty when he does something wrong and glad when he does something right.

• 12

  Watch for rebellious behavior. This is normal in adolescents. They often rebel and act out as a way to separate their identity from yours and to find out who they are as independent individuals. Though he may rebel, your child should still seek your trust and will want you to expect him to do the right things.

• 13

  Determine whether your child's behavior is socially, culturally and developmentally acceptable. Your child should be aware of social and cultural norms and practices, whether or not he desires to adhere to them.