Kids form boundaries at an early age, and as parents, it is our job to ensure they form healthy boundaries. When children start school, they are bombarded with other children from different cultures, beliefs, backgrounds and morals. As such, some children may feel challenged by their school mates and lash out physically in order to express their discontent. While it is good they are expressing their emotions, it isn’t necessarily good when they hurt another child in the process!
From since they were a baby, they learned that if they cried, they often got what they wanted. As they develop further into toddlers, they start mimicking their parents behaviour. If a parent spanks them for being naughty, the child may turn around and start hitting their parents, siblings or peers. Teaching your child how to express their emotions in a healthy way takes time, but in the end, it helps them form healthy boundaries with their school mates.
Using Communication So Your Child Can Express Their Emotions Healthily
Talk it out.
From an early age, encourage your child to speak to you. Sure, it’s easy for them to point to a glass on the counter and intuitively you know to get them something to drink but getting them to verbalise what it is they want not only helps them speak early, but it sets a firm foundation for good communication skills. Instead of reaching for that glass of water, look at them and tell them to tell you what it is they want. They may get angry at first (especially if they are used to you getting everything for them), but after a while, they will start telling you exactly what it is you want.
Talk About Their Emotions
If they are emotional and crying about something or stomping around, sit them down and ask them how they are feeling and why they are feeling that way. Have a conversation around it so you can better understand where they are coming from, and they feel safe talking to you about what it is they are feeling. Over time, they will develop the confidence and skills to clearly express their ideas instead of lashing out at a school mate!
Talk about “Nice” Behaviour and “Mean” Behaviour
If you are at work and a colleague does something to frustrate you, you probably won’t walk over to them and hit them. You’ve been taught to restrain yourself and handle matters more diplomatically and tactfully. You can teach your child to act in this way too. Talk about the differences between nice and mean behaviours. Ask your child questions,
“Is it nice to hit Tommy when he takes away your toy?”
“How can you tell Tommy you didn’t like him taking away your toy in a nice way?”
“If Tommy doesn’t give you the toy back, what else can you do that is nice?”
Teaching your child effective communication skills can really set your child up for success. Not only will it be easy for them to create healthy boundaries, but they will speak with confidence and emotional clarity. Instead of going on an emotional rampage, they will know how to better express what it is they are feeling.
About Little Human Scholars School and Full Day Daycare Centre in PJ
Little Human Scholars is an all-in-one childcare solution. It is a preschool, playschool, kindergarten, nursery and full day daycare centre (with extended hours) located in the heart of PJ.
In fact, the location is one of the things which makes Little Human Scholars so sought after – it is conveniently nestled near Jalan Gasing, University hospital, PJ Old town, PJ New town, Jaya One, Jaya33, and the PJ IT Mall.
The best part is LHS has premiere services many other schools in PJ don’t offer such as full day daycare with extended hours, CCTV access for parents, and a nifty little phone app called Toddlytic which provides parents with automatic updates on their child’s development, behaviour and health checks.
With full-time guards always present at each of their locations, access to CCTV (which is in every room except the office, bathroom and kitchen areas), and very strict pick-up and drop-off rules, Little Human Scholars treats every child who walks into its hallways as one of their own children!
This place has it all: location, safety, health, IGSCE curriculum and play-based learning. What more could you ask for? Did I mention they also have transportation services and offer meal plans for students? It doesn’t get any better than that.
If you are interested in a tour of one of our centres (that’s right, there’s more than one), all you need to do is fill out the form here or call +6017-7303-025 and an LHS administrative staff will get back with you shortly!
Cheers,
Jana Moreno