Inappropriate Child Behavior

Lying

• A child’s imagination is a valuable thing, and it can open the doors to creativity and artistic vision. However, when a child can no longer tell the difference between reality and make-believe, it can become problematic. Lying can sometimes be caused if a child gets in trouble a lot. He may be afraid of your retaliation or disappointing you, so he may lie to get out of trouble. Assess the reason he is lying, and explain to him how hurtful this habit can be. If you find you or other family factors are a cause for these lies, take the steps to correct your behavior.

Tantrums

• Tantrums are common for younger children who don’t know how to express their emotions or become extremely frustrated. However, as they get older, they are no longer normal. Your child may throw tantrums because she’s learned it’s a way of getting what she wants. She also may realize she can get your attention by throwing these fits. Figure out the source of the tantrums, and don’t give in to her when she throws them.

Stealing

• You may notice your child taking things that don’t belong to him, either from friends’ houses, or when you’re not looking in the supermarket. Although stealing is not abnormal in the preschool years, and a child may even slip up in kindergarten or first grade, if the pattern persists, you are dealing with abnormal behavior. Consider the reason that your child feels the need to steal. He may feel that stealing a piece of candy for his friends makes him more likable. Or he may like that it gets your attention. Address the situation right away, and explain to the child that stealing is wrong and illegal. Then instruct him on other ways to deal with the problem he is facing.

Cheating

• A child may develop a cheating habit later in life when she feels that she cannot measure up to expectations. She may also hold herself to a high standard and take on too much schoolwork or extracurricular activities, and find that cheating is the only way to make it through. Let her know that she doesn’t have to be perfect all the time, as long as she tries her hardest at everything she does.

Aggression

• At an early age, a child may have a hard time expressing when he becomes frustrated. A baby or toddler my kick or hit a parent or another child when he becomes upset because he doesn’t know how to deal with his feelings. At these times, teach him the correct way to deal with anger. As he gets older, if these problems persist, see a specialist to determine the source of these feelings.