How to recognize deviations in the behavior of preschoolers?

Very often teachers in kindergarten and mothers complain that their pre-school kids are either too violent and aggressive, or, conversely, too slowly perceive information. How to recognize deviations in the behavior of preschool children and how to distinguish the normal behavior of a child from an abnormal behavior?

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Pre-school crisis

Yes, there is such a crisis. Children between the ages of 1 and 7 can experience crises of each of the periods. Doctors distinguish them as a crisis of 1 year, a crisis of 3 years and a crisis of seven years. During these periods, the child can become aggressive and uncontrollable, do not obey his parents, be capricious. His behavior can drastically differ from the usual, inherent in him before. But they pass, and after a while parents can again call their baby a "golden child".

Deviations in the behavior of the child - it's quite another. This means that the child behaves atypically for his age, and his behavior does not fit into either physical or psychological frames.

What are violations in the behavior of a preschooler?

A pre-school child has deviations that are typical for his age, and those that can be considered deviations in behavior. But how can parents, having no psychological education, distinguish anomalous behavior from the child's normal reaction to difficult circumstances?

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

Features of behavior that correspond to a certain age and sex

This includes behavioral reactions that correspond to or do not correspond to the development of the child of this age period. For example, if a child sucks a finger, it will look normal in 5 years. And absolutely unacceptable at 10 years of age.

We need to closely monitor the development of the child, given his gender. If the boy behaves like a girl, and this is a pronounced feature, this behavior is a deviation from the norm.

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How long does the disorder of behavior continue?

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

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

Sometimes the stress and loss of a loved one can knock down an adult. The child is very fragile and vulnerable mentality, so you need to consider the circumstances in which the child seems upset. Depression after the death of a loved one or another loss is a normal reaction of a healthy child. But if the depression lasts a long time and for unexplained reasons, it is worthwhile to take the preschooler to a psychologist to find out his personal problems.

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

In what environment is the preschooler?

If the preschool child is constantly offended in the children's collective, if the family is under pressure, if the child is growing among the alcoholic relatives, he will not be able to perceive the environment normally. For this you need to have deviations yourself. 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 sociocultural environment is an important circumstance for assessing a child's development.

Symptomatic behavior

The child can clearly manifest only one symptom of abnormal behavior - for example, excessive aggressiveness towards adults - or a series of symptoms. One manifestation can have a clear reason: adults offend the baby, he responds aggressively in response. This is a normal reaction. But if a child exhibits a lot of negative symptoms in different areas of his activity: playing, eating, walking, communicating with peers, bathing, falling asleep, then everything is not right with him.

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

Finally, the symptoms are divided by severity and frequency. If behavior disorders often occur, it can be a disease. If the child is nervous from time to time, it can be a regular reaction of the preschooler to various troubles, also temporary.

How does the child's behavior change?

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

How does the situation affect the behavior of the preschooler?

Situations are different. Inadequate situations require an inadequate response - this is normal. If the child is surrounded by a crowd of peers in order to take away his mobile, on his part it will be normal to rush them with fists. Throwing on children with fists will be abnormal in a situation where no one touched anyone - all peacefully played, and only Vassenka showed aggression.

The criteria that Rutter suggests will help parents more accurately understand the preschooler's behavior and deviations in his development. If there is any doubt, it's never early for parents to turn to a psychologist - it's better to prevent a critical situation than to deal with it heroically afterwards.