QUARRELING BY CHILDREN

Fighting by two children or more is a normal phenomenon. Unless there is serious danger to any child’s life and limb or there is any property destruction, it is best to leave the children alone. If as a parent, you can stand it no longer, separate them for some time without attempting to blame them. And remember, the worst thing you can do when two children are quarreling is to go and try to find out who started it.

At home fighting usually arises with young children over property rights, like whose playthings it is and whose place to sleep. It is better for each child to have his own things. Some play items can be kept common and the children can take turns. As a parent we must see to it that the younger child be trained to respect the older one, and not to appropriate the things of the older child.

Don’t duplicate toys. Let one have a truck and the other a car. Then the two of them may have to exchange or cooperate.

When it comes to some other child visiting your home, the principle of individual ownership is hard to apply. Let your child, on arrival of another child who is likely to be destructive, put away his most precious things. Have on hand a few sturdy toys, which your child can share with his friend. This way both the children can enjoy and there is no fear of the toy breaking. If your child shares his toys, do appreciate him.

Quarrelling on the playground is better if left to the children to settle themselves. If parents go out to defend their child, other children will take offence. Let your child retreat if he cannot defend himself. Train him early never to fight with sticks or stones. Your child may be quarrelsome when he is behind or lags in play skills. The more of correction then must be with the parents. The parents should introduce the child to the play skills where he lags.

Sometimes a child may pick a fight by calling other children ugly names. Such a child may also use these names before the parents and the parents should correct him immediately. There are some parents who themselves set a bad example in this direction.

We, as parents, should build up ideals and habits in child for peaceful play with his friends. And to achieve this, as parents we should practice these good behavior towards other people in his presence. The parent needs to cultivate a happy relationship with all the parents and their children of the neighborhood.

By Hema Sridhar