Stubborn behavior in daycare is one of the most common behaviors among children in early childhood, as the child begins to form their personality and strive to assert their independence.
Although stubbornness may be considered a normal part of psychological and behavioral development, its excessive persistence can cause difficulties in daycare and impact the child's social and educational development.
Therefore, understanding the causes of this behavior and developing practical solutions is essential for supporting the child and ensuring a healthy learning environment that combines family and daycare.
Reasons for a Child's Stubborn Behavior in Daycare
There are several reasons for a child's stubborn behavior in daycare, including psychological and educational reasons.
- Lack of clear rules.
- Attempts to attract the attention of parents or teachers.
- Conflicting orders between home and daycare.
- The child's desire for independence and attention.
- The child's weak ability to express feelings verbally.
Family Reasons
- Overindulging the child.
- Excessive cruelty and frequent punishment.
- Imitating the behavior of the child's parents or siblings.
- There are frequent arguments and constant shouting within the family.
How to Deal with a Stubborn Child in Daycare
There are several solutions for dealing with a child's stubborn behavior in daycare, including:
- Establishing a consistent daily routine.
- The necessity of cooperation between the family and daycare.
- Using a calm dialogue approach with the child.
- Gradually giving instructions and dividing commands.
- Rewarding the child for responding and adhering to the rules.
- Inviting a psychologist or pediatrician to intervene when necessary.
- Giving the child freedom of choice to reduce the sense of external control.
Are there medical reasons for a child's stubborn behavior in daycare
Yes, a child's stubborn behavior in daycare may be linked to medical reasons, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or delayed language development, which makes the child unable to express their desires.
Hearing or vision problems can also make it difficult to understand instructions in the nursery, leading the child to refuse and be stubborn. In some cases, this may be a reflection of a psychological disorder such as anxiety or early mood disorders.
Behavioral Therapy for a Stubborn Child in the Nursery
Behavioral therapy is considered one of the most successful methods for dealing with a child's stubborn behavior in the nursery, such as:
- Praising and encouraging the child when they behave correctly.
- Dividing up large tasks and giving them repeated opportunities to succeed.
- Establishing clear and consistent rules and sticking to them without change.
- Teaching through imitation, as children tend to imitate those around them.
- Separating the child for a few minutes in the event of aggressive behavior and calmly bringing them back.
- Ignoring harmless outbursts of anger and stubbornness so the child does not get attention.
The Difference Between Normal Stubbornness and Behavioral Disorder in Children in Daycare
Stubborn behavior is normal when it reflects the child's desire for independence and exploring their surroundings. It appears intermittently and gradually decreases with proper guidance. The child may refuse orders but respond after clarification.
In the case of behavioral disorder, the child's stubbornness is severe and persistent, affecting their daily life and relationships with those around them. The child not only refuses, but also displays aggression and frequent tantrums.
What are the risks of neglecting to modify a child's stubborn behavior in daycare
When a child's stubborn behavior is observed in daycare and is ignored, this leads to:
- Difficulty making friends for the child.
- Stubbornness turns into hitting and screaming.
- Difficulty managing the family and daycare for the child.
- Loss of concentration and poor academic achievement.
- Stubbornness becomes a fixed habit and permanent behavior.
- Risk of developing anxiety and low self-esteem.
The Role of the Family in Treating a Child's Stubborn Behavior in Daycare
The family is the cornerstone of treating a child's stubborn behavior in daycare.
- Setting a good role model for the stubborn child.
- Encouraging a healthy routine for the child.
- Avoiding excessive pampering or harshness.
- Cooperating with the daycare and applying the same methods.
- Listen to the child, understand their feelings, and do not ignore them.
- Parents agree on a common approach to dealing with a stubborn child.
The Role of the Daycare in Modifying a Child's Stubborn Behavior
The daycare is the second environment after the family where a stubborn child spends a significant amount of time.
- Teachers use positive reinforcement.
- Establishing clear and consistent rules within the daycare.
- Continuous communication with the family and exchanging feedback.
- Teachers avoid corporal punishment or yelling at the child.
- Setting aside time for drawing to release the child's emotions instead of stubbornness.
- Implementing group activities that involve role-taking and respecting rules.
Ineffective Methods to Avoid with Children's Stubborn Behavior in Daycare
A common mistake when dealing with a child's stubborn behavior in daycare is using corporal punishment, yelling, or threatening the child. These methods increase the child's defiance, stubbornness, and aggression.
Comparing a child to other children or excessive punishment weakens their self-confidence and increases stubborn behavior. Conversely, excessive leniency or inconsistency in dealing with a child makes the child persist in their stubborn behavior to get what they want.
Summary of Treatment for Children's Stubborn Behavior in Daycare
A child's stubborn behavior in daycare may be normal, reflecting a desire for independence, but it can develop into a problem if left unadjusted.
The causes of this behavior can be attributed to psychological and educational factors, such as attention-seeking, and sometimes medical reasons, such as language delay and hyperactivity disorder. Treatment relies on behavioral methods at home and daycare.
Medical and psychological intervention remains necessary when there is a severe behavioral problem, and it is preferable to avoid incorrect methods such as corporal punishment and comparing the child to his peers.