How to recognize behavioral abnormalities in preschoolers?

Very often, kindergarten teachers and mothers complain that their preschool children are either too boisterous and aggressive, or, on the contrary, perceive information too slowly. How to recognize deviations in the behavior of preschoolers and how to distinguish normal child behavior from abnormal?

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Preschool crisis

Yes, there is such a crisis. Children aged 1 to 7 years can experience crises of each of the periods. Doctors distinguish them as the crisis of the 1 year, the crisis of 3 years and the crisis of 7 years. During these periods, the child can become aggressive and uncontrollable, disobey parents, be capricious. His behavior can be radically different from the usual, characteristic of him before. But they pass, and after some time, parents can again call their baby "the golden child".

Behavioural deviations in a child are something completely different. This means that the child is behaving in a way that is not typical for his or her age, and that his or her behaviour does not fit into either physical or psychological boundaries.

What are behavioral disorders in preschoolers?

A preschool child may have deviations that are typical for his age, and those that can be considered deviations in behavior. But how can parents, without psychological education, distinguish abnormal behavior from a child's normal reaction to difficult circumstances?

In 1987, Dr. Michael Rutter, an American child psychologist, identified the degrees of psychological disorders in preschool children.

Behavioral characteristics that correspond to a certain age and gender

This includes behavioral reactions that are appropriate or inappropriate for the child's development at this age. For example, if a child sucks his thumb, this will look normal at 5 years old. And it is completely unacceptable at 10 years old.

It is necessary to carefully observe the development of the child, taking into account his gender. If a boy behaves like a girl, and these are clearly expressed features, such behavior is a deviation from the norm.

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How long does the conduct disorder last?

If a child is afraid to sleep at night with the lights off, wakes up from nightmares and is afraid of strangers, this may be normal for a period of time. But if the behavioral deviations continue for a long time, for example, for a year, this can be considered a deviation from the norm.

Under what life circumstances do deviations in the behavior of preschool children arise?

Sometimes stress and loss of a loved one can undermine an adult too. A child has a very fragile and vulnerable psyche, so it is necessary to take into account the circumstances in which the child seems upset. Depression after the death of a loved one or other loss is a normal reaction of a healthy child. But if depression lasts for a long time and for unexplained reasons, it is worth taking the preschooler to a psychologist to clarify his personal problems.

Depression in a child can arise from a change of place or a change in children's group - this is a normal reaction, unless it continues for too long - for example, more than 3-4 months.

What kind of environment does a preschooler find himself in?

If a preschooler is constantly bullied in a group of children, if pressure is exerted on him in the family, if the child grows up among alcoholic relatives, he will not be able to perceive the environment normally. For this, you yourself must have deviations. But if the psychological climate in the family is calm, and the group in the kindergarten is good, the child's inadequate behavior - aggressiveness or ostentatious indifference - should raise doubts in adults. The so-called socio-cultural environment is an important circumstance for assessing the child's development.

Symptoms of behavior

A child may clearly display only one symptom of abnormal behavior - for example, excessive aggression towards adults - or a number of symptoms. One manifestation may have a clear cause: adults offend the child, and he responds with aggression. This is a normal reaction. But if the child displays many negative symptoms in different areas of his activity: playing, eating, walking, communicating with peers, bathing, falling asleep, then something is wrong with him.

According to Michael Rutter, symptoms are also divided into types. Some symptoms manifest as features of mental behavior, others as nervous disorders. For example, if a child bites his nails, he can be both absolutely healthy and neurotic. Then the symptom of nail biting should be considered together with other symptoms.

Finally, symptoms are divided by severity and their frequency. If behavioral disorders occur frequently, it may be a disease. If a child is nervous from time to time, it may be a natural reaction of a preschooler to various troubles, also temporary.

How does the child's behavior change?

Adults should evaluate changes in a child's behavior in relation to other children, but not only. It is very important to evaluate a child's behavior in comparison with how he or she behaved before, say, six months ago. If these deviations are significant and not for the better, adults should think about treating their son or daughter.

How does the situation affect the behavior of a preschooler?

Situations are different. Inadequate situations require an inadequate reaction - this is normal. If a child is surrounded by a crowd of peers to take away his mobile phone, it will be normal for him to rush at them with his fists. Throwing fists at children will be abnormal in a situation where no one was bothering anyone - everyone was playing peacefully, and only Vasenka showed aggression.

The criteria offered by Rutter will help parents to more accurately understand the behavior of a preschooler and deviations in his development. If there are doubts, it is never too early for parents to contact a psychologist - it is better to prevent a critical situation than to deal with it for a long time and heroically later.