Top 5 Behavioral Problems Children Face and How Mothers Can Deal With Them

Behavioral problems in children often cause mothers to feel disappointed and unsuccessful in their parenting experience. These behaviors can also lead to many challenges for the child themselves. Therefore, it is essential to address a child’s behavioral issues in an appropriate and scientific manner to guide them toward safety and balance. Through this article, Benaat experts provide you with important information to help you achieve this.

Causes of Negative Behaviors in Children

Before discussing behavioral problems in children, it is important to identify the causes that lead a child to display inappropriate behaviors, as understanding them makes treatment easier. The most common causes include:

• Family problems and emotional instability, which cause the child to express anger through negative behaviors.

• Using incorrect parenting methods such as harshness, physical punishment, or excessive pampering.

• The absence of a positive role model that the child can imitate in behavior.

• Exposure to psychological pressure from family, friends, academic difficulties, or other factors.

• Lack of attention within the family and the child’s feeling of insecurity.

• Experiencing severe psychological trauma, such as the loss of a loved one or a pet.

• Children suffering from psychological issues such as anxiety, stress, or depression.

• Health or hormonal problems that affect the psychological state and influence behavior.

• Neurological disorders such as hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, or autism spectrum disorder.

• Being influenced by external factors that encourage imitation of negative behaviors, such as social media and television.

• Exposure to violence or bullying from people around the child.

• Having bad friends whose behaviors the child imitates.

• Lack of sleep, as sleep disorders lead to behavioral problems in children and difficulties with concentration.

• The child suffering from conditions such as malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, or thyroid disorders.

• Living in an uncomfortable environment that does not provide sufficient support or emotional needs.

Common Behavioral Problems in Children

There are many types of behavioral problems in children. Below are the most common ones and how to deal with them:

Lying

A child may lie for various reasons, such as fear of punishment or feelings of insecurity and lack of love. This issue can be addressed by:

• Embracing the child and discussing the consequences of lying with them.

• Dealing calmly with the child, avoiding violence and direct accusations.

• Using appropriate discipline if the behavior is repeated, while maintaining calmness.

• Getting closer to the child to understand the reason behind the lying.

• Providing a sense of safety to help the child overcome this problem.

Stealing

Stealing is one of the most common behavioral problems in children, and the child may not initially realize its seriousness. To address it:

• Discuss the issue calmly with the child and offer trust and reassurance instead of shouting or punishment.

• Talk about the value of honesty through indirect methods such as stories.

• Provide more love and attention while encouraging positive behaviors.

Stubbornness

A stubborn child can create tension within the family due to insistence on unacceptable behaviors and ignoring parental guidance. To deal with stubbornness, it is recommended to:

• Avoid comparing the child to others and help build their self-confidence.

• Keep family conflicts away from the child.

• Involve the child in social and physical activities appropriate for their age.

• Deal with the child patiently and without harshness until the behavior improves.

Selfishness

Selfishness is one of the most common behavioral problems in children, where the child prioritizes their own desires and refuses to share with others. To address it:

• Understand the child’s needs and be patient while teaching them.

• Encourage the child to play with friends and participate in group activities.

• Gradually instill the value of altruism and sharing.

Shyness

A shy child may be exposed to bullying and labeled as weak, which can lead to isolation and withdrawal. To prevent this:

• Praise the child in front of others to boost their self-confidence.

• Encourage them and avoid negative criticism.

• Protect the child from bullying and integrate them into social activities suitable for their age.

The Mother’s Role in Positive Behavior Modification

Behavioral problems in children can be prevented and treated more easily when mothers have sufficient awareness of their dimensions and use scientific approaches to address them. This helps raise the child in a positive manner and makes it easier to deal with aggressive behavior.

Benaat Academy provides mothers with everything they need to gain a positive and informed parenting perspective on children’s behavior. Through the Behavior Modification Course using the “Problem and Solution” approach with Dr. Amina El-Saeed, mothers gain greater expertise in dealing with child behavior modification.

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